Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there. I lost my Dad three years ago, but his memory is alive and well in my heart and mind. I especially remember him this day, Father’s Day, as he was one of the most significant persons in my life.
In his very last letter to me, dated on my 31st birthday, he wrote:
My daughter, Katherine,
Your birthday always fills my soul with floods of unspeakable joy – HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY CHILD!
Don’t know where all these therapies may lead, but I’ll hold on till the end. There is always limitation to the knowledge of medical science so everything is before God’s will – that I go or not go. But until then:
My heart will go on singing
Until then, with joy I’ll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city
Until the day God calls me home.
That was the chorus of one of his favorite songs. I thought about sharing this song with you. It is a powerful song. May you find inspiration in the lyrics of this song. 🙂
Until Then
Words and music by Stuart Hamblen
© 1958
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that’s winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.
Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they’re borrowed for awhile;
And things of earth that cause the heart to tremble,
Remembered there will only bring a smile.
Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
This weary world with all its toil and struggle
May take its toll of misery and strife;
The soul of man is like a waiting falcon;
When it’s released, it’s destined for the skies.
Chorus
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
Listen to the midi here.
A beautiful letter and an inspiring song. I can feel your love for your father from the posts that you write about him. 🙂
I lost mine 16 years ago on June 20th, which also happens to be my second child’s birthday. Father’s day always fall around that day and so I also remember him especially on this day. 🙂
you must have had a very close relationship with your father–he even wrote you letters.
belated happy father’s day to your hubby.
my papa past away ten year’s ago but it’s like he’s only gone yesterday. have been used to his presence because he’s a great guy to me.
I lost my Dad two years ago, but unlike yours, mine never wrote, nor said anything before he passed away. He was never one to show affection to his children. But I’m pretty sure he loved us in his own little way…
Your post hadme misty-eyed. Ilost my dad last year and I still miss him so much.
I’m glad I found your blog through Annamanila’s blog. I’ll be back often.
It’s a beautiful song, Kathy… Your dad must have loved you so much, and proud of you too!
Happy Fathers’ Day to your hubby! 🙂 And Advanced Happy birthday to Aya!
it’s been awhile since I was here last, and it seems it was also a post about your dad that came to mind. I remember then I got teary eyed but this time, I’m really touched by your love for him. Not even gonna say na umiiyak ako kasi malungkot at iniwan ka na niya, I guess I’m crying kasi I can almost feel how happy he is right now knowing that he raised such a wonderful daughter.
Thanks for sharing this–
Happy father’s day 🙂
Talking or writing about my father is always an emotional thing for me – I guess it is impossible to not spill those emotions in my blog posts. Thanks for sharing about your own father.
Btw, advanced happy birthday to your son! Aya’s birthday is also falling on this week, the 22nd in fact. 🙂
Yes indeed, it was a very special relationship. He wrote me dozens of letters, most of them sent during the time when I was still a student and single.
Thanks; belated happy Father’s Day to your hubby too! 🙂
“But I’m pretty sure he loved us in his own little way…” – as a parent myself, I know this to be true.
Someone close to me reminded me that there are indeed many ways of expressing affection. Some parents express their love for their children by buying them gifts and providing for their needs, for example.
I’m happy that this post has struck a chord with you. I could imagine how much you miss your dad.
Thanks for dropping by Manila Mom! 🙂
He loved all of his daughters very much. He was a very affectionate father. I could go on and on about him. 🙂
Belated Happy Father’s Day to your hubby, too. Wow, you even remembered Aya’s birthday. Thanks, Rhodora!!! 🙂
Hey Mon, thanks for visiting again. It must really have been a while, kung yung last post na nabasa mo eh tungkol din sa Dad ko. 😛
But seriously, thank you so much for your kind words. Wow, touched naman ako sa sinabi mo. Yes, I would like to believe that he is happy where he is now.
Belated Happy Father’s Day to you too! 🙂
Yes, I’d love to exchange links as I really like it here and will be back often 😀
I have you up at my Great Links page.
That’s a very warm and loving tribute to your father who I’m sure you loved so dearly 🙂 You are the most candid and honest person in the blog universe I’ve met when you speak about your dad – and you do inspire people immensely by just being yourself, being true to your feelings 🙂
The soul of man is like a waiting falcon, when its released it heads straigt for the skies.
That gives me great comfort .. almost joy.
Doesn’t it also ease your hurt about losing your wonderful, wonderful dad. I have read your earliest posts about him.
hi katherine,
got your name thru annamanila. but i remembered i’ve visited your site before…(you even looked like my former college classmate).
am so touched by your dad’s letter. he really loved you so much.
Wow bw…I didn’t realize that writing about my Dad could evoke such reactions from other people. Thank you so much for your encouraging words!
Yes, it does! I’m happy to hear that this song gives you great comfort. I used to hear him sing this song way back when we were kids. The song didn’t mean so much then. But now that I’m older, I fully appreciate the meaning of those lyrics.
Hi Rowena, thanks for visiting. 🙂
Yes, Dad loved all three of us girls – my mom would say he spoiled us rotten. And we all loved him back dearly.
Hope you can drop by again!
This is the song my Father requested for his funeral years ago.
I was thinking about the song this morning because I couldn’t fined it in our Church song book. So I googled the words. That brought me to your web site. Thanks