Make me proud.....

Nostalgic today, so I thought I would share the text of what my brothers and sister and I shared with the congregation at my Daddy's memorial. Now, you can imagine that what we said varied from this, as we added to it and embellished (we are, indeed, John Blumer's children, after all), and if I can figure out how to extract it from the video I have of the memorial service, I will post it as well. But, for the time being, enjoy this small vignette and perhaps it can give those of you who never knew him a hint of the amazing man my Daddy was ~ and still is in untold ways.

Daddy was so many things to so many people – a friend, a teacher, a healer, a guide, a confidant, a mentor and more. For the four of us, he was these things and he was most definitely the spiritual head of our household. He provided the example of what it was to be a Christian and to be someone who depended on Christ for all things. He encouraged us to develop a relationship with Christ and he taught us lessons that proved invaluable as time progressed. Daddy was faithful, committed and devoted to family – and he told us on more than one occasion that he loved Mama and would not abide our not giving her respect.

But the lessons and gifts he gave us extended even further than those already mentioned. Daddy’s wisdom included some great life lessons and memorable quotes.


Life lesson #1 – If it is worth doing, it is worth doing big.


We were amazed at how big Daddy’s hands were. They were perfect for much needed spankings and swats, and even better for large hugs, pats on the back, or that one of a kind squeeze of pride or congratulations or approval on our shoulders.


But it was equally amazing to us that with such large hands (the gloves at his office were #9s) he was able to practice dentistry with grace, finesse, and precision.


His focus on doing things big also carried over to big meals. He would invite the proverbial “cast of thousands” over to share fish, or game, or to celebrate a birthday or event and often cook the main course not in a traditional pot, but in a vessel so large it required a boat paddle to stir it!


Big also worked with stories and jokes – as one of John’s friends wrote to us after Daddy’s death – “Your Daddy’s stories were always of epic proportions – and they were always entertaining.” He loved to tell these jokes or stories to as large a crowd as he could gather, as well.


This “bigness” could also describe Daddy’s laugh. In his mind, why laugh quietly when one could involve every fiber of his being and entice others to join in by the sheer joy and vivaciousness of his mirth (a word he loved, by the way).


And, for anyone who was around him for any amount of time, you would know that Daddy’s love for the great outdoors was bigger than anything else. And he not only loved to hunt big (and hunt and fish for “big” things!), he wanted to share this love of hunting with as many people as he could. His thinking was that being outdoors to enjoy the majesty of God’s creation and to appreciate the bounty of the earth beat any good day indoors.


And Daddy’s lessons to us included many quotes and sayings that we will continue to employ and remember with fondness. Many of you will smile and chuckle to remember occasions when you heard Daddy say...


• You wound me!
• Let’s adjourn to more comfortable quarters.
• I am extending the right hand of fellowship.
• Fire and fall back.
• The host has raised his fork.
• Who’s milking this duck.
• It’s daylight in the swamp.
• Enjoyed that like I had good sense.
• Another beautiful sunrise.
• This'll make your hair white and your teeth curly.
• Thank you, kindly.
• Stephanie is my better three-fourths.
• Boy, blind women are getting scarce.
• That’s some account.
• That’ll cure what ails you.
• Make me proud.


We know that by your presence here, Daddy was a friend, mentor, teacher, Scouting guide, hunting buddy, dentist, colleague, brother in Christ, or more to you and we grieve with you. But we celebrate the great legacy he leaves with us all and we rejoice in knowing he is with the great cloud of witnesses encouraging us, helping us land that bass or call that turkey or track that deer, supporting us in decisions and celebrating Christ with us.

****At this point, my brother John explained that we had practiced and wanted to sing Blue Highway's "Someday," but seeing as how we knew we would never make it through it, we were opting for the song to be played. The reason for its choice was that it was one of Daddy's favorite songs, even before he became sick with hepatoma, and he longed for its message to be shared at his memorial once he learned of his illness. In his eyes, his funeral was not to be a fully sad event (in fact, his desire was to be folded in half, placed in a Hefty bag, have a hole augured next to his favorite hunting dog's grave, and then have us go tap a keg... as he knew the body he had in Heaven was going to be so much more perfect than the cancer-ridden one he had at the end of his life.... I can assure you we agreed with his sentiment about Heaven, but disagreed with the Hefty bag, hole auguring, and burial near Hoss's grave... but again, I digress...), but it was to reassure those present and to express his deepest desire for those who did not share his calm faith that they could grieve with hope. Because they would see him again.

Amen.