In Loving Memory on Father's Day

I haven't updated Koko Bean's blog in a long time, but I felt like today, was necessary. Today is Father's Day. Today, we celebrate not only Koko Bean's daddy, but her wonderful grandfathers who raised her parents. Papa Kenny, her daddy's daddy, went to be with our Lord when her daddy was only sixteen. I never had a chance to meet Mr. Kenneth Morrison, but I am truly grateful for him. He adopted my husband, Koko Bean's daddy. He raised him to be a great father and husband. He raised him to respect himself, and to respect others, and to fight for everything, never giving up on anything. I don't have a picture of him to put on here. Otherwise I would have.

This year on March 7, Koko Bean's other grandfather, my daddy, went Home. It was a day before his 34th wedding anniversary. Grandpa Dave was an amazing, hard-working, and compassionate man. It's amazing how we never knew he would meet people on the street, witness to them, and open his heart and his wallet. We know these things now, as people have been approaching my mother, telling her how generous my dad was. In order to represent him the best way I know how, I have copied and pasted what I wrote, and presented at his celebration of life.

This room of people represents my dad. My dad loved people, especially all of you. We are grateful for your presence here today and also for your presence in his life. He cared deeply for each and every one of you.

Every person in this room has a story to tell about my dad. I have really enjoyed reminiscing with you all on the antics that were Dave Kersey. His sense of humor and wit kept us all on our toes. Sometimes you knew he was joking and sometimes, he would say it so well, and with such great delivery, you weren’t sure. Then you would see his lips pucker from trying not to laugh himself. I’m pretty sure you could write a book on Dave Kerseyisms.

Dad shared not only his dry wit, but his love for sports with my brother and me. When he was a young boy, his uncle Jim used to take him to St. Louis Cardnials’ games. Dad had his favorite teams in baseball, basketball, and football. However, Dad was such a bandwagon fan, it wasn’t even funny. If you were to look at his closet, you would never know which team was his favorite. He always said he wouldn’t want to work for a company that didn’t make any money, so why root for a team that didn’t win. Despite that motto, he still loved his Chiefs. My aunt reminded me of how he’d call her in Kansas City, on a day the chiefs were playing out of town, tell her he was sitting in the parking lot. He said he got a great deal on the tickets. And then ask where everyone was. He even had a ceremonial burning of the chiefs’ schedule after they suffered yet another disappointing season.

Speaking of sports, Dad taught me a lot about playing them myself. He taught me how to swing a bat, how to kick a ball and how to dodge whatever he kicked or threw at me. Let’s just say, mom had to keep the band-aids handy. This also applied to sledding and riding a bike.

Even though activities with Dad usually ended in bruises, tears and sometimes blood, I still couldn’t wait to spend time with him. He would come home from his long day on the route, cook an awesome meal for our family, and he would still make time to coach us in sports. He was full of life and full of energy.  In everything he did, he proudly gave everything he had.

I never thought I’d be doing this this early, but it is apparent God needed him sooner than we intended. And while it’s not fair, and there are times when I can’t understand, or my brother can’t understand or my mother, and grandfather can’t understand; we must believe God said, “David, you did it. Your job here is done. Come home son.”  He never wanted us to cry when he left us. He always said to celebrate.

So Dad, that’s just what we’re going to do. We’re going to celebrate your life and remember all the good times we had. We will no longer worry about your pain. We will no longer worry about doctors and hospitals. As the song goes, those places and those faces were getting old. Don’t worry. Every time we fire up a grill, every time we hear Frank Zappa, Weird Al or a really bad Sean Connery impression, we’ll smile, and pretend to appreciate it as much as you did. Your amazing spirit and your Faith will live on through your children.  We couldn’t have asked for a better dad. And as for Mom- the biggest blessing you gave us, was falling in love with her. When she cries, we’ll help dry her tears and when she laughs, we’ll laugh with her. As you are living out your eternal life in Heaven now, I must remind you of the one rule you enforced upon us- NO HAVING FUN!!!  Just kidding.

Proverbs 20:7   The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!

This couldn’t be more true. Thank you Dad. We love you.

 In loving memory of Kenneth Morrison and David Kersey. Happy Father's Day.