My Precious Keepsake

There were signs everywhere for us to find on the week leading up to the funeral, little thing my father left to give us comfort. Scriptures marked in his bible, taped sermons, and treasures thought lost to name a few. There was only one thing for me that I wanted, my fathers small Minister's Manual. It was something that he held in his hand during many events.

I was sad when my mother said that he had lost his older one and she had bought him a new one. I had forgotten about my search until I needed to go into his office. There sitting on his desk as if waiting for me was my treasure. A small book so worn from uses the pages were taped together. Still marked with the last names of the couple he last married, Derek and Bunaja. Although many names have been written here and erased these will stay forever as a loving reminder of the marriages he blessed.

I keep a simple dried daisy from his flower as my marker, a simple flower for a simple man. I found a few scriptures marked in the Funeral section of the book an this one stood out to me:

John 5:24-29 (New International Version, ©2010)

   ²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
   ²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

An Underlying Message of Love

 Photo by FinnsandFlowers

The word beautiful is not often associated with funerals but that is the first word that comes to mind when I think of my father's funeral, BEAUTIFUL. There was a wonderful message of LOVE in every part of it. It is a little word that means a lot. My father use to always tell me, " LOVE is more then a word, it must be an action". My father lived by that, he showed love to everyone.

It was also very clear how much my father was loved. Sweet words were shared by many on that day about how much they loved him. Tales of how my father helped and touched many heart rang through the walls of that church. In the hours, days, and weeks to follow we will miss him but we all will have wonderful memories to keep us company.

Words from Heather (granddaughter):

Only for You

Fighting back the tears today

Thinking about my life with you

I wanted to tell you so much

but you couldn't make it one day more

I am glad you are at peace

but here is what I wanted to say:

First, thank you Pappy for just being you

I will always love you til the end of time

Thank you for my father, your son

All the love and character you have shown to him

He, now,has and can pass along to me

For my blue eyes to look into yours, it was like a mirror

Thank you for all the summer visits

Taking care of my brother and I like only a grandfather would

The many life lessons and wisdom you had to share

The special talks when it was just you and I

The great big hugs and that unforgettable smile and hearty laugh

They are what I'll miss the most

You were someone to look up to

Like a Shepard of a flock

Not only to your congregation but your family

You have help countless amounts of people

You were a quiet man, humble and devoted

With just a gaze at me I would wonder and ask "Why are you staring at me Pappy?"

and you would say "I'm just looking at how beautiful you are..."

I would just blush and laugh, but it meant so much

When I felt lost in the great number of family members

and sometimes jealous of my cousins that lived close and got to see you more often

You came up with my pet-name only for me

"My Princess", I couldn't have felt more special in your eyes

and when I first embraced Grandma after your passing, she said to me

"You will always be his Princess" and we cried and held each forever it seemed

Now you have the greatest gift of life

To spend eternity in God's most precious, heavenly light

Free from the heavy burdens of earth and this life

and you can look over all of us and help us along our journey's 

For you will always be, not only flowing through my veins with your blood,

but in my heart and soul.

I love you Pappy, your Princess.

 

Funeral Information

Viewings: Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 at 6 - 8 pm EST
                Thursday, February 3rd 2011 at 9 - 10 am EST

Funeral: Thursday, February 3rd 2011 Starting at 10 am EST

Burial Service: Family Only to follow Funeral

Place:

Evangel Assembly of God
810 E. Marshall St.
Norristown, Pa 19401-4115

Memorial Fund:
In lieu of flowers or to assist the family with funeral cost please make donations to:
Pastor Fred J. Ney Memorial Fund
Deposits can be made through Paypal by the donate button on the upper right.


Please feel free to leave a comment here about one of your favorite memories of Pastor Ney, beloved husband, father, pappy, and friend to many.