In Memory Of Gilbert Luther Howington

Did you know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
For you are the wind beneath my wings...

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I have it here in my heart.
I want you to know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you...


My Lesson From Dad
 Most people start these types of things (his death) by 
starting and then building to an end.  
 Let me start at the end and then go back…
  My Dad was and still is the greatest human Dad this planet 
ever had.  I don't want to pretend that we didn't have hard times. 
 I was a 70's hippy..he was a Marine.  I am a liberal democrat 
and he leans to the GOP. But what we learned over those years 
was that love is more important then anything going on in the 
affairs of  men.  That should let you all know how we were.  
But that is how we were. 
   Let me tell you about how we are.  My Dad understood my 
pain and by the grace of God I understood his.  He felt my 
pain when Lynn got hurt (She was in a car wreck, that put 
her in a comma for 3 months, she had to learn to walk and 
talk again.)  I saw it in his eyes.  I see that same 
look now in the eyes of people that I love and people that I 
don't know.  I can share with everyone how my father and I 
got that fear out of our eyes and better yet out of our souls.  
One word.  Jesus.  I have been asked over my life by other 
people if I thought someone was saved.  I always refused to 
answer because I knew that only God and that person knew 
for sure.  There are people that appear to be saved but 
their insides are so nasty no one knows the life they really live.  
There are some that are so bad that you know they can't be 
saved but their souls are pure as new fallen snow.  I do have 
two exceptions…Dad and a friend by the name of George.  I 
loved them both so much that my  two boys carry their names.   
This year..in my Dad I saw such a change words cannot 
describe it.  Once this year, when Lynn started to improve 
he told me that it would not hurt me to get on my hands and 
knees and thank God.  He knew me.  He knew my love of 
science. All the parts of puzzle must fit. One must lead to two..
two to three.  Sometimes they don't.  Dad knew.  His advice is 
still good. For everyone.. and so I repeat it.  
It won't hurt you to get on your hands and knees and thank God. 
Not just for Lynn (in my case) but all the good things in your life.  
It is ok to get there when things are dark..like now for some of us 
now.    When the world is dark..and there is no hope.  When you 
were walking in a sunny day and all of a sudden you are engulfed 
by a huge black hole. Don't give up.  Something is going on.  
 Something..that you didn't cause...or maybe you did.  But don't 
give up.  There is more going on then you know.  
I know that the evil one will not cause trouble for his people.  
Only trouble for God's people.  He hopes that you give up…you 
lose faith.  Then you become one of his.  The trouble stops. 
 So what do we do?  Trouble or not.  The easy way or the way 
that may break your heart?  For me and my Dad I say we 
call on the name of God. We can't win by ourselfs…We are too 
weak.  How do we win?  We stand on the rock.  The storm blows…
and when it is over… 
We win.  That is the way of nature..cause our Lord made the rules. 
 He cheated..being what he is he can't lose.
    This is ONE thing Dad taught me this year by his faith.  Other lessons? 
 Love…Family…  marriage..
Kids…  ask me.  He taught them all.  By love and his example.  Ask me.
 Now back to the beginning…
   Can I tell you about what made my Dad the best dad in the history of the 
planet? He was and will always be there for me.  Dad…I love you and will 
not now or ever bend in the eye of the storm.   We stand on the rock! 
 We will be together again.  I will see that twinkle in your eye.  I will hear 
you laugh.  I will hug you and you will hug me.  Did I tell you he taught me 
that a hug says a million words?  Did I tell you he taught me that a kiss and 
a smile says words that can't be be spoken?

Your son
Jim