3 Years

3 years

3 whole years

It seems like such a long time.

Yet, it feels like just yesterday.

My dad was always the life of the party.

He loved bringing people joy and making people laugh.

And his laugh?

Oh my, his laugh was so contagious.

He had this zest for life that couldn't be contained.

He truly wanted to live life to the fullest.

He was adventurous and spontaneous. 

He was always on the go.

But when my nieces came along? 

Oh my world, did he slow down.

He loved his wife and children. That was a given.

But ask anyone...

Ron Nichols was made to be a grandfather.

Being PawPaw to the most adorable two little girls was one of the absolute greatest gifts in his life.

But something else did come before family.

God

My dad loved the Lord and it was his life's calling to preach and spread the gospel. He loved telling others about our Savior, never missing an opportunity to do so - even if the person was a complete stranger. 

He preached with a fiery passion like none other.

He had an insatiable thirst for the Word and its chief Author that just couldn't be quenched. He would study the Word for hours and hours.

He was a son.

He was a brother.

He was a husband.

He was a father. 

He was a grandfather.

 

He was a cousin and a nephew. He was a preacher and a teacher. He was a friend and a confidant. He was a prayer warrior and advice giver. He was a road trip buddy and a late night Wendy's drive-thru buddy. 

He was so much to so many.

He was my dad.

And this Daddy's girl sure does miss him.

But you know...

As painful as it is to not have him here on earth with me, I wouldn't call him back here if I could. He's a zillion times better off in Heaven with our Creator, in a new, perfect body, one not riddled with years of sickness and pain. 

He's in Heaven with Jesus.

And that...

That is a beautiful thing.