The time surrounding February 18th brings many different emotions. This year, 2023, marks the fifth year since Dad passed from this world into Glory. Loss, sadness, grief, and other emotions that come from losing someone before “their time” are prevalent. But so are feelings of love and appreciation for the time that we had with Dad. We spent the day together as a family doing some of the things that Dad enjoyed: Watching an FGCU women’s basketball game, going out to eat, and getting ice cream at Dairy Queen.

Today we announced the release date of the next book based upon Dad’s journal, which brought about excitement because of the encouragement and hope that people will experience while reading the next book in the series. Have you read the first book? If you are struggling with a difficult journey, you need to read the book. Dad documented his journey and the steps that he took to focus on others rather than himself while he was fighting multiple types of cancer.

Which brings us to the title of today’s blog. One emotion that we have experienced is a relief that Dad is no longer suffering in his earthly body. We counted nearly a dozen aspects of his body that abandoned him: Multiple types of cancers, thyroid issues, a broken-down foot that made it difficult to walk, lack of vision in his right eye, trembling hands that made his writing indecipherable, and many others. Do we miss him? Absolutely. 1000%. But we cannot help but thank God that Dad is no longer in any pain.

A while back, I went to a Crowder concert and one of the opening acts was a singer by the name of Jimi Cravity. One of his songs is a powerful testimony to the healing that happens when we are no longer hostage to our earthly bodies. The song is called “Believe”. I encourage you to listen to the song or at the very least read the lyrics online.

“Is it crazy that I’m dancing in the rain? And I’m smiling cause there’s no more days of pain.”

These few words get me every single time that I listen to the song. Maybe he’s not dancing, but when I close my eyes, I can see Dad moving effortlessly in the rain. No more problems walking. No more eye problems. No more urological issues. Nothing. He’s got a new body.

Thank you, God, for no more days of pain for Dad.