Me and Dad, Easter 2009
I have talked about my dad’s battle with melanoma before on my blog. He is now on pre-hospice care and is bravely facing what lies ahead.
My dad recently celebrated his 63rd birthday, and due to my commitments to the wedding I wasn’t able to be there for the celebration. This song is my gift to him.
I don’t have a great voice in the world of singers and singing in public just isn’t something I do any longer. In fact, it terrifies me more than anything. However, I adore my dad and I know this is one of his favorite hymns. This is the hymn I sang at my grandmother’s, my dad’s mother’s funeral. I would never be able to get through singing this at his funeral, so I sing now. I sing to honor my dad and to honor my God. Dad, I love you. Happy belated 63rd Birthday! Your life has been a grand celebration and will continue to be so.
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The Little Red Shop says
God Bless you, Beth, and God Bless your sweet daddy. What a precious gift. Your dad looks like he could be my daddy's blonde cousin. My dad went to be with the Lord back in 1999 (brain cancer) and one of my happiest memories is of listening to him sing hymns as he was getting ready for his day.
I'll be praying for y'all!!
Julie M.
Anonymous says
You are amazing. Your wit, your talents and ur big heart 🙂
Funky Junk Interiors says
What a wonderful WONDERFUL tribute to your dad. I'm with the other poster. I teared up reading, listening, and then when your dad came on.. incredibly touching.
Bless both of you.
Donna
wendy hunter says
Beth – You and your family are much in our prayers. Your voice is like a clarion bell – clear and sweet and strong. Your expressions as you sang were so sweet and precious. What an awesome gift God gave you to honor Him and your dad (and for the rest of us to hear as well!)
Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden says
That touched my heart. You and your Dad are in my thoughts and prayers. I went through a similar experience with my Dad when he was only 62. You take care.
Allyson/HBMomof2 says
I didn't even make it to the first chorus before the tears started streaming. This was one of my grandmother's famous hymns and I cherish all the days that I was able to sit by her in church. She has been gone for 3 years now, but hearing your beautiful voice brought back the love in Christ that we shared. Thank you.
Blessings to your father belatedly for his birthday. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at this time. I can see why he is so proud of you. Cherish that.
All Things Southern says
Awesome tribute to your daddy. I'm sure he will love it and it will touch his heart. Love your blog.
Debbie
Anonymous says
Beautiful.
Marianne@Songbird says
oh wow! From one singer to another you have a great voice and sung this hymne beautifully. Kudos to you for having to guts to post this!
So sorry to hear about your dad. Wishing you and your family strength in this time and thinking of you!
Anonymous says
Amazing.
Lou Cinda says
Beautiful, simply beautiful and so touching. My dad was 62 when I lost him to lung cancer…too young…
I sang Amazing Grace at his funeral…
You will be in my heart and prayers!
Lou Cinda 🙂
Melanie S says
You crazy! I thought you said it was horrible! I should have known! It was beautiful! Your voice is still great and I wish we were still singing together. My voice wishes it too, as I'm terribly out-of-shape.
I'm in a vocal group here with a bunch of young adults that are almost half my age, and so talented. I feel like having a panic attack about it sometimes because I so feel like the weakest link. It's just been so long since I've done anything serious! Anyway, that was a great performance and totally worth the anxiety for your dad's sake. Love you!
JD says
How brave of you to sing in public! That is my biggest fear and certainly one that I could probably never conquer, so I definitely congratulate you! And you do have a wonderful voice! That song is very meaningful for our family too and I don't know if I will ever be able to hear it without tears.
michaela says
What a sweet gift to your dad. You prove that the most special gifts come from the heart. I too teared up after reading your dad's response. Praying for you and your family!
BJ_Mama says
That was beautiful. I teared up while listeing to it….and then I read your dad's comment and it was OVER! Sobbing Fool over here!
GOd Bless you and YOur Family!
Lorie says
You have a beautiful voice and I am sure that your father will love his gift!
Dayka says
Uh, hello? Not a good voice?? Stop it right now! Beautiful voice, beautiful hymn, and what a wonderful way to honor your father while he is still alive. I know that made his day to hear this, and how wonderful it must be for you to know how much he loves you, and how proud he is of you. Your dad seems like a really sweet guy, too. This was really thoughtful of you Beth, and very self-less to share it with everyone! I loved it.
p.s.–I'm sorry, but I have to tell you that I can really tell today that your lashes are SUPER long. Like butterflies . . . 🙂
randee says
may God bless you, beth, for such a sweet tribute to your dad. may He, the lifter of our spirits, be ever so close to you and your family in the days ahead. and, may you be encouraged by knowing that you have so many of us lifting you all up in prayer.
may God be glorified through it all –
TaraRose says
You have a beautiful voice. Wow I know you parents are so proud of you! I have been praying for you and your dad! Just know your family is lifted up in prayers in GA!
Tara
Melissa Miller says
Beth you are amazing! You sound beautiful.
What a wonderful gift to him and many prayers are being said for your father.
Many blessings, ~Melissa 🙂
Richella says
What a sweet, sweet gift to offer your dad. "Then sings my soul. . . " Yes, indeed. Bless you.
Jen C. says
Thank you. Lovely. That was one of several chosen for my Opa's funeral in 2005, and I keep the song sheets of those hymns in a cuboard next to the kitchen sink. When washing dishes, I pull them out (if I've forgotten a verse) and sing them. I do dishes just to sing (I do have a dish washer). I really appreciated every verse you sang, as I feel too often hymns are cut short and the best verses are missed. And, yes, I must admit to croaking it out on my end alongside your beautiful and clear voice. I spent my growing up years next to my dad in church, and thanks to an ear forever tuned to his singing style, am incapable of carrying a melody – just some sort of harmony that I think belongs to the fifth voice in a gospel or babershop quartet. Your beautiful rendition allowed me to enter into some moments of worship to our God with harmony of my own. Thank you, Beth!
Terri and Bob says
Lovely. A fitting contribute.
linda says
What a beautiful way to honor your father's birthday. You truly sound like a wonderful daughter and I'm sure your father is very proud of you! I will be keeping your father in my prayers!
You sang one of my favorite songs beautifully!
Annesphamily says
Happy Birthday to your dad Beth! He is now in my prayers. I have to say I just thought you were a crafty, creative gal but you have a very lovely voice. God Bless you both and thank you for sharing! This was my late father's favorite song and it was sung at his funeral. Lots of memories. God bless you Beth and your beautiful dad too.
Amy Kinser says
Happy birthday to your father. I can only imagine what a blessing you are and this song was to him.
Miki says
Bravo, Beth! That touched my heart, and I'm sure it was a tremendous blessing to your dad. You're family is in my prayers, Miki
this blessed nest says
so touching & beautiful.
Jenglamgirl says
"WOW" not the greatest voice… cough cough whatever, that was beautiful Beth~ That truly is a favorite hymn of mine as well. I can never get through it in church with a dry eye… YOU did a beautiful job, I am sure your dad will treasure this. I didnt' make it to church this Sunday, but you fed my soul with a good dose. Thanks! JGG.. come say hi sometime!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Oh, Beth. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your Dad and your family. Daughters and Dads ~ there's something special there and your love for your Dad is evident in your singing this for him. I always think of my Dad, but you've made me give him a little extra thought today, and when I see him tomorrow, a little extra hug.
Kelly says
Beth, you have a beautiful voice! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. My husband and I recently lost his mother, so I understand the pain and sadness you are going through as your father enters pre-hospice care. I will be praying for your family more than you know.
Beverly @ The Buzz says
What a precious tribute. This was my FIL's favorite hymn and was sung at his funeral. When our daughter passed away suddenly 3 years ago, my husband was able to sing it at her funeral. No one thought he'd make it through, but he did. She always loved to hear him sing. Thanks for a sweet memory.
Mandi @ Finding Home says
Beth, this gave me tears in my eyes. Please know that your Dad and your whole family is in my prayers. Truly my friend. Your voice is beautiful. What a touching tribute to your father. He sounds like such a wonderful dad.
Grammie/Mom says
This is a beautiful tribute for your father! His comments back to you are so special and brought tears to my eyes.
Carmen says
What a wonderful blessing to your Dad, and God, and us. Thanks Beth!
Magic Brush says
Wow… you are so brave!!!!! What a gorgeous voice you have. It's obvious you and your dad have a special bond. Bless your heart. I pray he'll receive a miracle still.
Dan says
Dearest Beth,
You know how to make a grown man cry! What a wonderful gift. You know how I love your voice and the spirit with which you humbly use it to glorify our Lord. At the time I opened your blog I was in the midst of a flare up of another bout of deep left lower abdomenal pain — and while you were singing, the pain melted. I must replay this often! You are such a joy to your mother and me. God bless you for honoring your parents with your gifts and your Christ-centered life!!
Celebrating all His gifts to me (and to us),
Dad
Bonnie @ The Boatwright Family says
You have a beautiful voice. I have chills. I'm thinking of your father and of you!
{ L } says
You're wrong…you have a beautiful voice! That was extremely touching and special. I too have always cherished that hymn. Super way to start out my Sunday.
Tricia says
Oh Beth, that was such a beautiful tribute to your Dad. One of my favorite hymns as well. You will all be in my prayers.
Big hugs, girlie.
XO*Tricia
Destination Seaborn says
Oh Beth, you have a lovely voice. That's a beautiful way to honor your father. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.
((Hugs)) Lisa