Walter G. Metschke - Marking 100 Years

Today would have been my father's 100th birthday.

Having enjoyed a wonderful 90th birthday celebration, we began talking during his 98th year about what we might do to usher in his centennial. God had other plans for Walter, though, as He took Dad home shortly before he turned 99.

Do they celebrate birthdays in heaven? Probably not. I doubt they measure time there in earthly years.

I'm marking the day, though.

Trained as a landscape architect, Dad had a lifelong love of plants and flowers - so I bought a bouquet of fresh blooms to decorate the house. I gave a gift in his memory to one of his favorite ministries, Faith Comes By Hearing. (Check them out if you're so inclined.) And of course, he'll be on my mind more than usual.

God blessed me with wonderful folks...and the extra bonus of a rich, long life for my father. Because I was the last of six children - and a "late in life" baby - the odds always leaned toward me losing my mom and dad while I was still fairly young. While my mother did suffer a critical illness when I was only 21, the opposite happened with Dad. Not only did he live nearly 99 years, his mind was sharp as a tack until the end, and he was still able to get around, travel, and live independently for the majority of his retirement years. 

Since he died suddenly, he was spared any sort of lengthy final illness. All great gifts.

I miss him dearly. But the fact that he's in the presence of God and happily reunited with my mother and eldest brother help me put my loss in perspective.

Happy Birthday, Dad!