Dear Dad

I want to talk to you today, Dad. But it hurts too bad to cry. We've never been so great at talking anyway, you know. Neither one of us could ever handle my emotions. So right now I will just write my love in a letter to you from me for all the world to see.

Mom finally told me what you've all been keeping from me for my own good. At least until you thought I was strong enough to handle the news. She said the doctors told you you had lung cancer on the very day the doctors took my cancer away. I have been trying to wrap my mind around that thought all day. The Lord may heal me completely but take you home to glory early? Oh, Dad, how can this be?

Today was the day you found out your cancer is inoperable. Maybe so, but today is the day I found out that cancer cannot control us. Only God can. I just don't think your race is over Dad.

You're the kind of man people respect. You're the kind of man who has a lot of influence. You're the kind of man who truly tries to help people. You have always been my greatest cheerleader in life. You were the one who always just expected we'd go to college. You were the one who encouraged me to go to grad school. You were so happy when I got a job. You were so happy when I quit my job to raise my family. You love Pete and my babies so much. You have always been the wind beneath my wings. How many others have you encouraged and helped to get an education? You always knew an education would lift anybody up. Look what it did for you, a poor boy from Arkansas who lost his daddy to the war.

You have done so much for so many. I truly believe you and mom were the ones who kept the doors open at Englewood Baptist Chruch during the rough times. I'd say "Why don't ya'll leave that church" and you would always say "The Lord has a work for us to do here, we can't leave!" You are the kind of Sunday School teacher everyone needs. You study so hard and pray for your people so much.

So many people look up to you Dad. You put all you had into Gate Petroleum. You traveled a lot during the early years to help the business grow and your family to thrive. You sacrificed so much for that company and for your family.

Mike and I want to be like you. I know Mike wants to just be with you all the time and soak up your knowledge and study who you are. He just wants to hear you say you're proud of him.

Tomorrow's your first radiation treatment. Really, it's the first day of the rest of your life. There's so much more to be done in this race, Dad. You have many more people who need your help. There are many more Sunday School lessons to be taught. There are so many who need your wise counsel. And I need you to keep cheering me on. I believe God will give you many more days and I'm going to ask Him to give us years. Cancer cannot control us, right? Let's get up in the morning, put on our running shoes and continue on. I want to be there beside you cheering for you, helping you, encouraging you and so very proud of you.