Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Today is not a day for sadness, but one for celebration.

Welcome home Daddy. 

Daddy was always a man of his word. Even in sickness, it was never about his suffering but his love and compassion for the well being of his wife he was leaving behind. To hear my Father utter the words, I failed, to me during his final days was the most gut wrenching thing I had ever heard from him. 

How does one console a man that has never failed her? You hold his hand and remind him of all he has done in his lifetime for not only you, but countless others without asking for anything in return. Dad was always a man of love, faith and hope. He would make it happen one way or another. He supported each of us in all our endeavours and reminded us to keep pushing.  

You remind him of when he was there to hold your hand when you started to walk. How he was there to teach you to change a tire. How in our own moments of frustration he was there to not judge, but offer compassion and wisdom with a comforting voice. How he made sure to include a joke and laughter with it. He was full of knowledge and the craziest trivia you could ever imagine. Dates, names, faces, just ask Daddy. He had them memorized even into his last days. 

You remind him of the endless supply of love and warmth he showered upon you. How he always made sure you had a cooked meal and pocket change. You remind him of your little adventures and side quests together with each of us, grand children included. From cross country treks to cruises, ziplining or kayaking in the ocean, Pops always gave it a shot. Dad would go fishing with us and would have rather fried the fish than caught them lol, but to just spend time with each of us, he would indulge our follies. 

You remind him of the countless hours of work he sacrificed of his life to make sure you were clothed, fed and had a roof over your head. You remind him of all the Christmases he made special for each of us. The birthdays, holiday parties, bbq cookouts.  He would even get dressed up in costumes with the grandkids for Halloween parties. My Dad was very much a comedian. 

You remind him of how he never met a stranger when out in public. Of how much joy and laughter he brought wherever he went. His spirit was a bright one. How he was loved by so many - not only family, but friends and colleagues as well. 

My father loved life and never looked down upon anyone. He taught us to treat others with the same type of kindness and respect we would desire. To always look for the good. Dad you stayed true to who you were. You ran a good race. You fought a good fight. So no Pops, you did not fail. Our flesh will fail us, but our spirit shall not. 

You have always been my hero and that will forever remain. 

We will love you all of our days. I will miss your bright smile everytime you entered a room. The great big hugs with the little side to side sway whenever we arrived or departed your presence. That is how you knew you were loved. And I pray you knew we loved you dearly too. Hug Fonzy for me.

Dawn M. Lee

*Dawn, the firstborn child of Herman Lee Jr., resides in Copperfield, Texas. She is a proud mother to Giovanni and Divanni, and continues to carry forward the legacy of love and strength instilled in her by her father.