15 years ago today my Dad died from lung cancer. I remember the length of time he has been gone because he died one month before our first son, John (named after my Dad) was born. Not a day goes by without me thinking of him. To this day I miss him terribly. My Dad was born in 1920. He grew up in during the Great Depression. He was a gunner on a B-17 during World War II in the south pacific. Growing up, I remember my Dad working harder than any three people I knew put together and still holds true to this day. I remember standing in a stream in Outlaw Canyon in Wyoming, learning how to fly fish at an early age. I remember going elk and deer hunting every fall. I remember going to church when I was young but not consistently growing up. After I started going to church after accepting Christ as my Saviour in 9th grade, he would encourage my sisters and I to go, but never went with us. We talked about God on many occasions but nothing ever came of our conversations. I just kept hoping that a seed was being planted. One day about a year before he died, we were living in Rapid City and I woke up one morning suddenly. For some reason I had a feeling that I had to go visit my Dad in Gillette, now. I told my wife and left for Gillette. I got there about two hours later and found him sitting at his usual spot at the kitchen table. He was surprised to see me and we talked for a couple of minutes. I then asked him about Jesus and if he wanted to ask Him into his heart. He said, “sure!” It was not long after that he found out he had cancer. He is buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery. He was a long time smoker and that took him from us early. He never met my kids. When I got the letter saying I was accepted to medical school, I drove to the cemetery and laid the letter on his grave, and sat there and cried for what seemed like an entire afternoon. I know that he is not at the spot designated by the marker on his grave, he is sitting with Jesus in heaven, whole, healthy. I know that one day we will be reunited and he’ll get to meet John, Luke, and Abby. Hopefully I have made him proud. I miss you Dad.