This week, my father passed on to his eternal reward. We have received so many kind, thoughtful, and meaningful messages from family and friends around the world. You realize at a time like this just how many lives are touched by one individual.
Even though it is my dad who died, every message references “Bark and Esther” or “Mr. and Mrs. Barker” or “your Dad and Mom”.
Together.
Husband and wife.
67 years of marriage.
It is like butter on hot cornbread – you can’t separate them.
Our son-in-law Tim wrote the following – “Bark was always interested in me and Salem and what we were up to. He and Esther have been great examples of what a Godly marriage looks like.”
A lasting legacy of love.
So much is written about love around Valentine’s Day. Some of it is meaningful and sincere. Some is self-serving and shallow. You can tell after being around a couple for a certain period of time whether their love is genuine or fake.
My friend Joyce told me today on the phone – ” I loved watching your parents together. You could see how much they loved each other.”
They did not practice “public displays of affection.” Their love was expressed through deference to the needs and feelings of each other.
Two days before Dad died he was retaining fluid and having difficulty breathing. I was sitting with him and he opened his eyes, looked at me, and said, “Gayle, where is Mother?”
“She went to take a nap, Dad. Is there something you need?”
“Oh, good.” Dad replied. “She needs to rest.” Dad was struggling at the end of his life here on earth, yet his thoughts were of his wife’s health and comfort.
I will always remember Jay Fesperman telling young couples what the most important skill for effective parenting was for the parents to –
Love each other.
That creates an atmosphere of security, trust, and peace in the home. It is also the perfect environment for children to thrive.
I was blessed to grow up in a home where my parents truly loved each other.
Our home was not perfect – but my brothers and I never doubted that my parents genuinely loved each other. Our home was a secure place to live.
I Corinthians 13: 4-7 expresses real love this way –
4 Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, 5 never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. 6 It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. 7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
I am so very grateful for the legacy of love my parents have left behind.
It is worth far more than any material inheritance – it is of eternal value.
My father will be greatly missed. I pray that Phil and I and our children and grandchildren will carry on that legacy of lasting love.
Our Father's Daughters 
I am so grateful to have had the time we did with your folks; so grateful for the way they modeled Christian living in their lives, and also for their faithfulness to pray. You already are carrying on that legacy, Gayle, in your life and in your marriage. So grateful that you are in my life (and that you have this gift for writing and encouragement!)
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Thank you for your prayers, Anne Marie. We have been so blessed and thankful to have known and loved Dad as long as we did. You will carry on that legacy as well.
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Yes we will – all of us 🙂
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Gayle, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. What a great legacy he leaves behind. You are on my heart!
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Thank you, Katrina. I am blessed by his legacy.
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What a lovely tribute! How blessed you were to be raised by such godly, loving and caring parents. And you truly are carrying on that legacy of love. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Much love.
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Thank you, Norma. We were blessed with a Godly heritage. We feel your prayers.
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Gayle, my heart is heavy for you and Phil! I know you retired to spend more time with them. How I wish I could have known them! Lana says we are our parents greatest monument, and that’s so true! My deepest sympathy, lovingly, Nancy
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Thank you, Nancy. I am so thankful for the weeks I was able to spend this fall and winter with Mom and Dad. God is faithful.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Gayle. I don’t know your parents, but I can see them in the person that you have always been. I love your writings and am lifted by the messages they carry. I pray for you and your family at this of sorrow and celebration.
Love you,
Roz
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Thank you, Roz. We can sense the prayers. We are celebrating a life well lived.
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Gayle, Would you please send me your mother’s mailing address ( postal). Your family has been on my heart so much this week….
Julia Rhode Jacobs
On Sunday, February 14, 2016, Our Fathers Daughters wrote:
> ourfathersdaughters posted: ” This week, my father passed on to his > eternal reward. We have received so many kind, thoughtful, and meaningful > messages from family and friends around the world. You realize at a time > like this just how many lives are touched by one individual. Ev” >
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beautiful! Praying for you all. Their example gives hope to us all that a godly marriage is still possible.
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