Three years ago today

On July 19th of every year, I pull down a special box from my closet. It is marked “Daddy Boy” and it contains my memories of my dad. In it are letters from him on special occasions and just little notes that he would write me during college. There is a picture book I put together of photographs of the two of us. It also contains many letters from my friends who wrote to encourage me after he passed away. Today, I pulled down the box and with it a flood of emotion. Sometimes I think I may drown in it. I seem to block out all my memoires and save them for this day, July 19. On this day, I grieve all over again. I remember what I had and what I have lost. I will never be the same again. Grief changes you in a way that you cannot explain.

The Lord was so gracious to me today as I reflected on my dad. He allowed me to see things I have never seen before. Above all, I am encouraged to remember that Dad is finally at rest and no longer struggling with the evils of this world. What a glorious reality heaven is! Freedom from the sin that binds us and makes us feel chained down and controlled. Christ has come to give us freedom and we experience it with knowing Christ as our Savior. He gives us victory over our sin and thankfully so! We still struggle in this world, but the difference is that with Christ, we are free to struggle, not struggling to be free. But oh what a great day it will be when we go to be with Jesus and we are made perfect! No more sin! No struggles with our flesh, no more hurting others with our sin, no addictions, no cancer, no looking for other’s approval because Christ has made us complete!

My sweet dad was plagued by so many things. But now he is complete and “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” Ephesians 3:19. I am grateful that our God is a God who redeems! The Gospel is a beautiful thing. May we all live it out to the fullest each day and love those around us with no regrets.

A dear family friend wrote this poem about Dad, and I thought I would share it to help keep his memory alive:

A New Life
A memorial poem honoring Solon Glover

He was the life of the party, always loved to have fun
Though his talents were many, he continued to run
Didn’t want to think about the God who had given him life
He would call all the shots, but he still lived in strife

One day he grew tired of a life with no meaning
And from God he received a brand new beginning
He loved his wife and children with a brand new heart
And in reading God’s word he took an active part

He still wore a smile, but a new joy he now knew
There was so much in this life that he wanted to do
A warm smile, a hug, a kind word or two
He was open and humble, an encourager too

When a child was in trouble, he poured out his soul
To the God in heaven who had remade him whole
He grew in the Lord and great wisdom he gathered
Because now he knew Jesus was all that mattered

And when the God of ages called to take him home
He was ready and willing, no longer wanting to roam
In heaven he sits with the almighty King by his side
And one day we’ll see him when on the clouds we ride

It was a life that was lived to the fullest, they say
But on this side we know that there is no other way
Than for Jesus to put all the broken pieces together
So we can spend all eternity with Him forever

C. Taylor, January 2005

We love you Daddy Boy! Your memory lives on in each of us who were privileged to know you and love you!

Solon Hingson Glover, Jr.

July 19, 1948- July 19, 2004