Father's Day

When I climb the
Stairway to Paradise
I'm taking my tackle and rod
Because when I go out fishing
I always feel closer to God.

I'll find a clear lake
with fish jumping;
I'll sit on the bank and find rest,
Enjoying the good peace and quiet
As the birds settle down in their nests.

Then in the cool hush of evening
As I kneel down to offer a prayer,
I'll feel a warm hand
on my shoulder,
And I'll know that
my Lord's standing there.

We'll sit, and we'll
talk in the moonlight.
Oh, what a glad day that will be!
I'll know peace with
God, my Savior;
Yes, that will be heaven to me.

Dear Daddy,

I know you're up there in heaven daddy. I know you're happy. An angel whispered to me, and told me so. I will miss you very much. You will always be close in my heart, and in my mind. I hear your voice, I see your face, and the memories we share will forever be with me.

The tears that fall will be selfish tears. I didn't want you to go yet. We had so much to talk about. One day we will have the chance to talk some more. Until then, I will rejoice in knowing you are happy and in a much better place. And daddy, if you can hear me, I will be saying a prayer for you every night. Maybe you could say one for me too. I'm glad we got to share this dance. I love you daddy.

Bonnie

Pody, everyone called him Pody, (pronounced PO-dee), lived and loved to fish and take care of the wild animals. He would pull his little 14' camper out to Thompson lake every summer and camp for months at a time He was caretaker over the endangered Loons on the lake. The Loons only lay two eggs during a season, and he would patrol the lake to make sure that they were not bothered or tampered with. The two eggs he was watching, hatched just a few weeks before he passed away. He fed the deer that would play around his campsite. He fed the chipmunks, squirrels, and gophers. He even made sure the bears were taken care of. At home, he would raise abandoned baby squirrels, he would feed them with eye droppers and baby bottles until they were old enough to fend for themselves. He was a gentle, kind man. Even the animals will feel the loss of this wonderful man.

His constant companion for 11 years, Fred, an old faithful basset hound, passed away about 4 years ago. Fred would go fishing with dad every day. Old Fred never really knew what "dog food" was. He ate like a king. Dad would make him homemade chicken soup, sandwiches, oh, and of course Fred loved "perch cocktail". Fred even helped dad raise those baby squirrels. He offered to baby-sit, for a small fee mind you; just a cupful of that homemade brew in his water bowl now and then.

Dad built special little houses for those squirrels and they even were named. This little family was named after all his kids. After the baby squirrels were old enough to live outside, Dad showed them to their new dwellings. The squirrels never left.

God grant that I may fish
Until my dying day.
And when I come to my
last cast,
I'll then most humbly pray.
When in the Lord's safe
landing net
I'm peacefully asleep,
That in his mercy I'll be
judged
As good enough
to keep

What's mainly wrong with society today is that too may Dirt Roads have been paved.

There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.

People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home...a loving spouse, happy children and a dog.

We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our children got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other children, from who they learn how to get along. There was less crime in our streets before they were paved. Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there were no drive-by shootings. Our values were better when our roads were worse!

People did not worship their cars more than their children, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust and bust your windshield with rocks.

Dirt Roads taught patience. Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk, you walked to the barn for your milk. For your mail, you walked to the mailbox. What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony road on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.

At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap. Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.

At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't, some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.

At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out. Usually you got a dollar...always you got a new friend...

I know your life on earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

(Chorus)
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered 'round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels' faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Repeat (Chorus)

Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son.