My Best Friend's Dad

   

     My best friend’s dad passed away this week. Memories are tugging at my heart and at my ripe old age of 62, the memories go way back, back to when Shelly and I were just two years old, the very beginning of our friendship.

     Our neighborhood was jam-packed with kids from the baby boom generation. We flitted back and forth throughout our days, feeling safe and secure and Shelly’s house was like a home base for me, thanks to her parents, Dorothy and Ivy.

     To be honest I was a bit afraid of Ivy as a youngster. Back then, the dads were respected and somewhat feared. And maybe that was ok. We learned right from wrong. We just needed one stern look to straighten up, to do the right thing.

     Ivy had a strong will, a working-man’s life and a great love for his wife, children, and grandchildren. You could just tell, in so many ways, how much he loved his Dorothy. Even when he was driving, she would stretch her arm across the back of the seats and rub his shoulder. He usually did pretty much what Dorothy asked, whether going shopping with her to endless shops and malls, to bringing us what we needed at sleepovers, or welcoming the aunts, uncles and cousins at all hours of the day and night.

     I was lucky enough to be a part of it all, getting to know all of the wonderful cousins, hanging around in Granite Falls and Montevideo, where Dorothy and Ivy grew up, respectively.

     In the early years, Dorothy and Ivy were there for me, especially after my dad died when I was just 14.  Ivy helped to give me driving lessons. Can you imagine Shelly and me both trying to learn how to drive? I don’t remember too many stern looks or yells. He was patient with us, even though, to this day I don’t think either one of us could change a tire (another lesson he insisted we learn how to do).

     Nancy and Shelly, you took good care of your dad over these last years. I know with everything Shelly went through, Nancy had much of the responsibility for those years and Shelly has told me how grateful she is to her sister.

     He loved visits from the grandkids, and Ryan and Noy, Derek and anna, Lindsey and Scott, Courtney and Brittany and now little Harrison, he was so proud of all of you. What a gift you gave him in family.

     I miss being with all of you this morning and I bet Ivy and Dorothy are in heaven, reminiscing with Steve and their parents and waiting for all of us to one day, soon, be reunited. Ivy was ready to go. He had the opportunity to see most of his loved ones recently and he died in peace and comfort at the great age of 88.

     Outwardly all of us will age and grow weak, but inwardly we can be strong, knowing Jesus is waiting for all of us to come home. Fix your eyes on Him.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18:

Father,

We are grateful for the life of Ivert Green. He and his wife touched many lives, including many here at Lake Nokomis Heights Church. Let them be an example to us to do good, to respect others and to give unconditionally.

In Jesus name,

Amen

See you Monday. Enjoy the weekend and be grateful for every moment God gives us with the people you love.