In Loving Memory of Grandpa Sutherland

The picture of the guy in the Santa hat is my Dad, (otherwise known as "PopPop" to the grandkids),Mark Wilson Sutherland. Third, last and youngest son of Woodrow and Emma Sutherland.
And to three grown daughters, he is THE best Dad in the world. He is the sure thing, the go-to-guy. He is our rock, our hero, our Dad in every true meaning of the word.
But today, for a moment in time, everything solid and sure and certain for Dad came to a grinding, hurting, shuddering, stop when HIS Dad -Woodrow Wilson Sutherland-quietly and peacefully stepped out of this world and into heaven. He was ninety this year. He lived a long and good life. And in all of Dad's 50-odd years, Grandpa was constantly teaching by word and deed how to be a father, how to cherish and love your children. Dad learned that family is THE most important investment we have in this life. He learned to hug and kiss and never say "goodbye" without saying "I love you" first. He learned to be a man of his word and a keeper of his promises. He learned to work hard and faithfully. And to play often. Because teasing and playing and laughing are really loving.
Grandpa was proud of Dad -equally proud of each of his three children, and yet he made each one feel special and extraordinary. And Grandpa loved Grandma....ever as much as she adored him even as she she let him go ahead of her to heaven. They were best friends. I knew that from the beginning. They shared the same love of the outdoors, the same love of family. The same love of eachother. Seventy years together is a long time. But what makes it truly beautiful is that they only grew closer as they grew older. And despite the pain and discomfort in the end, Grandpa remained kind and gentle. And Grandma made her every act of service for him an act of love and adoration.
As Grandpa died, my sister heard my dad stand tearfully over him and say "Oh, if I could only be half the father he was..."

Well Daddy, I want you to know that you learned well from the best teacher. There are not words to say the sorrow I feel that I cannot be with you today. I want to hug you in one of our family bearhugs -the kind you used to give Grandpa years ago when he was well. I want to hug you and tell you that I love you. But most of all, I want to thank you Dad. Thank you for treasuring those lessons in your heart and living them out in your life.
You made him proud, Dad.