My parents left a great legacy for their children, comprised of three distinct yet intimately related gifts. First, they treated each other such that we never had reason to question whether they loved each other. Second, they treated us such that we never wondered if my parents loved us. Third, they believed in God in a way that was unforced, natural, and comforting.
Just a few days before Mom went home to be with her Lord, I quietly “celebrated” the 19th anniversary of my Dad’s passing. Each year since, that anniversary has served as a reminder to me to try to leave my kids the same legacy Dad left me. Now that reminder will be doubly strong, as he and Mom were committed and loving partners in that joyful yet grueling endeavor we call “parenting.”
Thank you, Dear God, for loving parents, and today especially for Stephen and Rita Chuvala. May the testimony and blessing of their love and faith live on through their children, and their children’s’ children.