My Father, My Father

Susan Walsh

Dec 2008 · Dog Ear Publishing

About this ebook

This book is about hope. It is also about surrendering to God's will and acceptance of His plan for us. The main focus is the revelation I had following the death of my father, when I realized how closely interwoven were the love of my earthly father and my Heavenly Father. It touches on living our lives in accordance with God's plan even when the death of a parent seems to have pulled the rug from beneath your feet. In reading this book, you learn to recognize God's love for you in your family members before they are lost to you. Although this work is focused mainly on my relationship with my father, it could be applied to any relationship in one's life. This is a story of being brought out of despair wrapped in the arms of The Blessed Mother, and ultimately, into the Love of God My Father. This book examines the feelings of abandonment that I felt after the death of my father, as well as my anger at God for taking my dad from me too soon. It deals with discovering God's will for your life, surrendering to it and accepting it. The topic of Kenosis, the emptying yourself of self so God can fill you with Himself is explored. This book uses Franciscan references and Christian principles. I try to explain how I came to discover that my earthly father had always been mirroring the love and protection of My Heavenly Father. Admittedly, we in our human nature, take things for granted. Sometimes it is helpful to hear someone else's story. Sometimes we can recognize ourselves easier through others. I'm hoping and praying that my collection of thoughts might be helpful to someone experiencing the same sense of loss and devastation as I did. I also hope that it will give those who read it hope that although the feeling of loss never goes away, it does become more bearable as time goes by. The key is surrender to and acceptance of God's will. He promises to never leave you, even until the end of time. SUSAN WALSH was born in Paterson, New Jersey. She and her husband Chris have been married for eight years and live in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They are members of St. Patrick's Church in Milford, Pennsylvania in the Diocese of Scranton. Born into Catholicism, she attended Catholic Schools from kindergarten at Our Lady Queen of Peace through DePaul Diocesan High School. Susan is the mother of two sons, Ryan and Josh, one daughter, Christen and the grandmother of Charles. She is mother-in-law to Ryan's wife Becky and Christen's husband Chuck. Susan presently works as a chairside dental assistant. She has a background in restaurant ownership and has worked as a court stenographer. The death of her father caused enormous repercussions in her life. After going through all the grieving processes, the idea of this book came to mind. It has been a very cathartic and healing experience.