...after a short break....

I guess waiting a year between blogs gives me a lot of stuff to post. Last year, 2009, was a rough one....culminating with the loss of my Father, Tom Kelley. This is actually the first time that I've taken the time to put into words what has been going on in my head. I miss my dad. I miss our conversation at the half times of ball games. I miss getting beaten mercilessly on the golf course. I miss our discussions about the church and how to deal with all the craziness that can happen there. I miss seeing that twinkle in his eye every time he caught a glimpse of my mother. I miss my dad.

Some days are better than others. Sometimes, I just find myself thinking what would we be doing right now if dad was still around. I find myself listening to an old CD of dad singing songs that he recorded back in the dad. I find myself praying for my mother that she won't be lonely; that her nights can become less frustrating, and that she'll be able to find some new friends that she can spend time with. The one thing that I'll never regret is that I'll never have to say, "I wish I could've had more time with Dad."

This past year, I spent almost every Friday with my father. We got to do some really fun things; fishing, golfing, movies, and we even got to go to a Red's game together. This last year, I really got the opportunity to get closer to my father than I've ever been. We spent a great deal of time together, and that's time that I'll never regret. Most people have the normal parent/child relationship with their parents, but, this last year, my father became my best friend. I got to see him at his best and his worst. In all of it, he never wavered in his faith. He never blamed God. If anything, he saw his life as a chance to share the gospel, not only in the good times, but in the face of death. Dad was a great father, husband, and friend. Even more that that, he was an example of what faith in Christ is really all about.

If I can give you any encouragement from this, it would be to not take for granted the people you love in your life. Whether it's friends, family, co-workers, or anyone else.....don't take those relationships for granted. Life on earth is short, and life on earth is precious. Cherish every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Life is a gift, and we need to be grateful for those that God has placed in our lives.

Have a great week, and God bless.

JK <><