I did the math.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, I was exactly the same age my dad was when he passed away.
He died on July 15th—the hottest day of the year.
It seems appropriate. He was always too hot, just like my mom was always too cold. They had thermostat wars—my mom and dad. They never openly argued. My mom would just crank the thermostat up to 80 degrees and a half hour later, my dad would turn it down to 60. A half hour later, the cycle would repeat.
On the day he died, he took his bride for a ride in his treasured possession—a collectible Corvair. When they came home, he covered up the car with a tarp, walked inside and asked my mom for a glass of water.
When she turned around to hand him his glass of water, he was gone.
I don’t know if I will ever be able to fully understand the weight of that moment for my mom.
My dad was a veteran of two wars. Horrible things happened to him in his life—both as a child and as an adult. I could tell you stories that would make your blood boil. But I won’t. I’m pretty sure my dad suffered from some form of PTSD.
But underneath all the damage was—I believe—a bright, inquisitive, fun-loving guy who wasn’t afraid to be a little eccentric.
I think God always saw what was underneath, and on July 15, 1999, God called him home.
Now I’m the same age.
Am I ready, if I get the same call?
In one sense, yes. I’ve made peace with God.
In another, no.
I feel like so much of life is left to be lived. Our four kiddos—we had them late in the game—none are married; no grandchildren—yet. So, yeah, I would like to live to see my grandkids.
I’m starting a ministry. Would it continue on without me? I don’t know, but probably not.
I’ve published 35 books, but I feel like I still have a few more inside. I’m quietly working on a new version of the Bible. And I’m dabbling with a novel about a guy who goes to start a new life on a planet in the Andromeda galaxy. (In my mind, it’s hilarious.) And I’m inventing a language just for fun.
But then my dad had unfinished projects as well.
I talk to God of course every day, and today I asked Him to say hi to my dad. And I asked Him if I was right, if my dad in heaven is this bright, inquisitive person who’s having a great deal of fun.
I asked Him and I’m pretty sure He said yes.
🙂
Dwight
