Andrew (dressed up as Derek Jeter of New York Yankees) walks on East 90th Street for the annual Halloween Parade at his school. Baseball is Andrew's favorite sport this year.
My father passed away 11 years ago today. As I think about all the lessons I learned from him, it is his spiritual legacy which stands out. He was not successful or famous in the worldly sense, but God blessed him with an intelligent mind, especially in understanding the depths of biblical truth. I am privileged to learn posthumously, that he thought I had grasped Reformed theology. To this day, I am inspired by the writings of Jonathan Edwards, John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, etc. He loved and served the church despite its shortcomings and deeply relied on God's sovereignty. And although he was not an expressive person, he prayed. His prayers are still being answered today. So, even though I miss him on earth, I know he is enjoying fellowship with his Father and one day very soon, I too will also. Life is a vapor. It is so worthy to live for eternal consequences and have a loose grip on the things of this world.
Susan's father passed away on October 28, 1997, just a few months before our wedding. On Saturday morning, my family of four and a sister-in-law made our annual trip to his resting place. We took a bus from the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, met Susan's sister, drove to Paramus, paid our respect, sang one of his favorite hymns, read a passage from the book of Romans and walked around amid colorful trees under gray sky. At one point during our trip, Andrew took a short video of his mother and sister.
It saddens me to know how much Susan's father would have enjoyed playing with Andrew and watching him (as well as Emma and his other grandchildren) grow. Especially since both of them love baseball and Yankees. And, I myself regret not having the opportunity to learn more about him and his life experience. Plus, it would have been great to discuss our theological understandings and our faith in Christ.