What are you going to leave when you depart?

9 days ago, I traveled to LeMars, IA to attend the graveside memorial service for my step-father, David Peterson. If you hadn't heard the story, he suddenly passed away on March 26, 2010 due to a heart attack. Dave was may step-father for 36.5 years and was the father figure I needed after my Father has passed away and three years had elapsed. From the age of 9 on, Dave was my Dad.

Anyway, We were at the graveside. Now, there wasn't a huge hole dug, as he had decided that he wished to be cremated. That was OK, just a hole with a piece of plywood covering it. The minister started brief service and I was holding my son Isaac's hands to keep him still for the time. During the service, the minister talked about Dave's service to the church, camps, children, etc. I have to admit, my mind wondered and I started to think about how he served me as a father growing up. I am sad that my children, especially the two youngest, won't have Grandpa to talk to about life issues.

I'm reminded of a conversation that Arden said she had with him concerning tattoos recently. Grandpa Dave never said that getting a tattoo was wrong, just gave her advice and was assured that she had gotten his advice and would make a decision based on good information.

Anyway (again), I was thinking about things like this and what mark Dave was leaving on this Earth, when I happened to notice a plastic container in my brother James' hand. It was only about the size of a gallon of milk. I was just standning looking at it and then I saw that there was writing on the top. It said 8416, David Paul Peterson. It finally hit he, it was the ashes. That's it, something about the size of a gallon of milk was all that he left here physically. Then I started thinking again about all the people that he influenced, by preaching, attending camps, being involved in Boys Scouts, working at a school as both a para-educator and a custodian, and in the last couple of months in a court appointed guardianship program. He left his mark in all that he did.

I only wish that I can leave my mark just 1/10th of his.

Thanks again, for being a great example in how to live your life.