Father's remarks

	The Arizona Moores

A Tribute to John: Joe's Remarks
(Delivered by Edward Moore, Joe's brother)

John,

I sit here knowing that I will try to write a masterpiece because that is what you deserve but knowing too that the voice of my heart cannot be recorded in words. My real fear is not that I will remember too much but rather that I will forget. Our time together was so short and I was so apprehensive of how I would react the first time that I saw you. I need not have worried because you were beautiful. Your pretty face and round head, your red hair, your blue eyes. Eyes that pierced my soul. I am so glad for the time we had together. I am grateful for the chance to see you and to feel that you could see me too. I am grateful that I was there to help ease you from this life to your eternal reward. I am grateful for my faith because it tells me that I will see you again. Already, it seems, the things I try so hard to remember are slipping away. That precious little voice of yours that seemed not like crying at all. I remember the first time I heard you. I called your name and you seemed to say "Dad". I knew you were alive. I felt as if you knew we were there for you too. I am so glad that the first thing before you as you opened your eyes was your mom because she more than anyone was responsible for your being here. I remember how you turned your head toward me, eyes open, and seemed to speak directly to my heart. Thanks Dad for this chance, you seemed to say. Maybe that’s not the way it happened but it’s the way my mind sees now.

We wanted you so badly. When we found out that you were having trouble we were crushed. It was shortly after the Fourth of July. The night that we learned of the problems, your mom and I cried together and sought answers. What does being made in the image and likeness of God mean? We concluded that, no matter what the condition of the body, the soul is eternal. It is not broken. When you were born I saw you as perfect. I saw your scars but they too were beautiful to me because they were part of you and it didn’t matter at all.

Some will ask how attached you can be after so short a time but I understand now that it couldn’t be enough. I long to hold you again, to kiss your face and rub your head. I am grateful that I could hold you and say good-bye, I am grateful for that last look you gave me, the struggle you made trying to open your eyes that last time. I hope to remember it always.

I am at peace, a gift I know has truly been given me by God. I have felt that peace often over these past few months. I believe that peace comes from confidence in knowing that God loves you, that you are part of his eternal plan, that you are alive again with him and that one day you will be alive again with me. I know that God lives, that Jesus is our Savior, that the Holy Spirit has been sent to help us to return to you. (As I read back over this line I realized that I am talking to both you and to God.) I know that regardless of anything else God is a loving God and that He will see to it that we will be together again one day. I see a vision in my minds eye - or maybe it’s deep within my soul - that one day you will tap me on the shoulder, look me in the eyes as you did during your brief time here, and I will know that it is you. You will not need words, our hearts will sing one to the other the music that must be God. I love you John, I’ll always love you - even if I have to struggle not to forget you. Thank you for your brief visit. I wish it could have been longer but I will take what I have received and treasure it always as a gift - no greater gift will I ever receive. Good bye John, until we are together again. May God bless you and keep you and may his light shine upon you from now until forever. Amen.

View Nancy's Remarks