The past few weeks have been filled with emotion, as it approaches the time that last year, I said goodbye to my daddy as he was welcomed into his Heavenly Home. Looking through old photographs to remember his hugs, or the way his prickly beard always tickled me as I kissed him goodbye, in fear of someday I may forget those memories. But how would my future children know him? They will never sit on “papa’s lap” to hear a story, or to hear memories of me as a child. They never got to hear the way he sneezed, which would instantly send off any car alarms nearby it was so loud… or laugh as he gave them underdogs on the swing set… they will never share in those memories with him.

But do you know what they will have?

Photographs.

Printed photographs, to treasure and to hold.

Photographs of him at his senior prom.

Photographs of me and him mowing the lawn on a hot summer afternoon.

Photographs of my wedding day, where he had become frail, but by God’s grace, took his last steps, as he walked me down the aisle.

Photographs of our journey, through the years, and even in his last days. To see the strength their “papa” had, and how long he held on knowing his little girl needed more time getting to know her daddy.

Photographs of a better time, and photographs of the tears…

Photographs, because our memories deserved a life beyond the computer screen…

Daddy, I can’t believe it’s been a year since you were welcomed Home. Thank you for making me strong because of your strength. Thank you for never saying goodbye, because I know you’re saving a place for me…. In The Place where everything last forever, where everything that’s best remains, where everything good is celebrated, where light fills every space, where love abides in every heart, where worship fills every breath, where praise never stops, where pain never enters, where joys never cease, where every tear is wiped away, and every healing is made complete. I love you.

“He will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
 Praise instead of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3