It is now ten years since my father died. I miss him.
Enclosed below is the note I emailed to friends around the world the day after he died.
I am thankful for my father. Among other things he exemplified what unconditional love means.
I am also very thankful for my mother, who still lives in Malmö. She is a constant source of encouragement.
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GRIEF & JOY
Friday, 17 May 2002
Dear friend,
My father passed away 16 May, 09:45 am. He has been fighting cancer since the late 80’s. His condition deteriorated significantly in the past 3 – 4 months.
Two days ago, Wednesday night, the doctor and other medical staff saw a turn for the worse and I decided to take the first train the following morning to Malmö, about six hours south of Stockholm.
Yesterday, while on the train, my mother called on my mobile: “Now it’s over”. I took a pen and paper* and jotted down a few words that came to my mind about my father:
- Laughter
- Warmth
- Passion
- Humour
- Personal
- Private
- Visionary
- Pioneer
- Articulate Communicator
On arrival the nurse and I dressed up my father. My mum and I spent time talking, praying and crying.
My father was a pastor all his life and saw remarkable changes and growth in various churches around the country.
The funeral is tentatively planned for June 4.
Glory to God for his goodness – now my father has no more pain – he enjoys the fullness of life in the immediate presence of God.
Mats Tunehag
* I wrote these things on an envelope, see below.
