Dan with great granddaughterMy father-in-law passed peacefully away this morning. He’d lived a good and long life, survived two wonderful wives, is cherished by a third. He has three wonderful grown kids, grand-children and great grand-children. Dan was just going, as he phrased it a couple of days ago, “to walk into the next room.”
I’ve known Dan for forty years. He is one of the most consistently happy people I’ve ever met. The world doesn’t know what to do with happy people. It works hard to make them sad. He never took the bait. He kept his joy. Sometimes it took a bit of wrestling on his part to stay aligned with the good he believed was supreme in life, but he always rose to the occasion, and quickly.
He enjoyed a good joke. He was a careful and interesting story-teller. With a twinkle in his eye, he would relate an appropriate pun for the occasion, and chuckle at the groans from his audience. He loved people. He devoted the last 40 years to helping others find health, balance, stability, joy, peace – helping them feel the power of God’s love in their lives.
And, this is the big one – I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. He lived Christ Jesus’ life message: to love one another.
He made the best of what life gave him, and he always felt life was giving him abundant good. He cherished family and friends alike.
With his perpetual joy, undaunted trust in the triumph of good, and genuine love for all God’s children, he set a great example of what it means to unconditionally love one’s fellow man.
He will definitely “Be in that number, when the saints go marching in”!
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18 comments:
A sweet story about Dad. On Saturday (this last) I was with him all day and we sat and held hands and listened to hymns. At one point he called Paul and asked him to sing “His eyes are on the sparrow” with him.
As you probably know, that’s an old hymn from his protestant days (I don’t know if it’s one that is included in CS services…) and Paul didn’t know the words at all so Dad sang it alone and like an angel… “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free. His eyes are on the sparrow, I know he watches me.” I’ll never forget it.
We loved Dan at spirituality.com... We had many dealings with him regarding some site features, and he was unfailingly loving, dear, friendly, cheerful... Everyone who got off the phone with him would just comment to everyone else what a gem he was. Thanks for this marvelous tribute.
Thanks so much for posting this tribute. Dan was known as "Pop" to me and he did much to help me make Christian Science my own. When I talked to him a few days before his passing, we joked and sang and he said over again how happy he is. One of the things he was most grateful for is the thousands of healings he witnessed in his work as a Christian Science practitioner. All of this, he said, "has just been a reflection of the dear Father's love."
I blogged about a trip he and his sweet wife, Rachel, and I took in the midwest last spring.
http://kimckorinek.blogspot.com/search?q=a+burst+of+wonderful
Another sweet story about Dan. A couple of months ago I got back in touch with Dan after not having seen or talked to him since 1980 something. Our families had known each other since sometime in the late 1940's. We gave each other thumbnail sketches of our lives to catch up. He summed up his life with this: My cup runneth over and I'm drinking from the saucer.
What a wonderful guy, and what a wonderful family he has.
We have known Dan since our move to Washington 12 summers ago. In introducing himself as Dan Justad he told us: "Don't subtract - Just Ad!" Our young daughters were kindly advised to call him "Grandpa Dan." Fast-forward 10 years... My mother now widowed, and Dan moving down to southern CA as a widower. The two of them had met before in WA, made contact, began to date - fell in love, and married on July 2, 2005. What a happy two years of companionship between Dan and my mother, Rachel! And how blessed our entire family was to have them move up to the northwest to live near our home in Bothell! Grandpa Dan has been a cherished and loved family member & friend. He is a true example of loving-kindness, forgiveness, and living joy on the battle field. Though we will miss him, we rejoice in the legacy of love he left for us.
Sandi,
Thanks soooooooo much for that wonder blog about Dad.
Love to you all in Chicago,
Did you know there was a lunar eclipse this morning (Aug 28)!
I was thinking of the uniqueness of that phenomenon and the beauty of it. The eclipse turned the moon red, and the photos are so lovely.
We've all heard the expression "once in a blue moon." Well, Dan made a unique "splash" of his own. And it was appropriate for me to have my attention drawn to "the heavens" during this transitional time of Dan's.
Sybil said...
I enjoyed reading all the comments about Pop. I felt fortunate that I could call him that. I don't ever remember seeing him with out a smile and a look of love coming from within. I think he truly loved every one he met and he has set such a good example for all of us. Last time I saw him was at his sons memorial in Illinois. He looked the same then as when I first met him when Pete and Sandi were first going around together. I loved that commnet, "My cup runneth over and I'm drinking from the saucer". It really sums up his life.
Last week I drove up to Mt. Vernon from Vancouver Washington, (my new home) with my two girls (Macy 4 months old and Jenna 3 years old) to visit good friends and Grandpa Dan. He was peaceful and content and made me take pictures:). I have a beautiful one of him holding Macy on his chest and both of them looking at each other with so much love. He was the most positive, unconditional loving, spiritual person I've known. I am so blessed to have had a Grandpa like Grandpa Dan. My friend said “I am sorry for your loss” when she learned of his passing. Although her thoughts are genuine and kind, I don’t feel like I’ve lost anything. Instead, I’ve gained the peace and calm that comes with seeing someone live (and die) without fear. That is Grandpa Dan. If I could live just one moment of my life with his sense of complete acceptance and trust (lack of fear), I am the happiest woman on this planet. Most of the time, I feel blessed and content, and still have the energy to share, help and serve others. I am not involved in the Christian Science faith but do believe I posses many of the beliefs and values it teaches and lives by. I’m certain that Grandpa taught me many of these ways without a single quote from the bible or lesson taught. He just lived and I watched. He listened. When I saw him in Seattle in June he had a spring in his step just like a young one. He was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Jenna and Macy on it. We all met at our hotel and of course he introduced me to the person at the counter, pointing out who I was and his great grandchildren. When I saw him last week I gave him hugs and kisses and he said, "Joy baby, don't be afraid, I am just going into the next room".
Thank you, Sandi, that is a beautiful tribute to one who was and is so beautiful!
I'm honored to have known him and blessed to have been a recipient of his love. He truly was an angel in my life.
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend. Dan helped me through many tribulations and trials over the past 40 years. My husband, Jerry, and I had the pleasure of visiting Dan & his beautiful wife Rachael last August and we are so grateful for that time. He was truly a unique person. His 'next room' is now reaping the blessings. Marlene and Jerry Stegora - Minnesota
For about thirty years I was one of Dan’s success stories. When I first found out about Christian Science I asked who i could talk to about it. His was one of the two names I was given. The first guy was off lecturing or something so I got his voice mail. But Dan was right there, bright and cheery and totally non-intimidating to a guy who was suspicious of the whole religion thing. I visited him in his office in Mpls for 18 months, after which I went off and had class with Carl Welz.
I became a practitioner, a teacher and wrote lots of articles on Christian Science for their magazines and websites. Dan was an occasional visitor to my association meeting and I always felt he was proud of me. People would tell me he would say nice things about me to them, etc. I have since turned away from Christian Science, and all religion/theology for that matter.
Nonetheless, I'm grateful for all his cheerfulness, his kindnesses to me and my kids, and for being a shining example.
Indeed,a fan of Dan I am. What an impressive legacy he has. And he sets an amazing example -- as ever smiling and singing even while "moving on." -- Sandi's tribute is a terrific capsule of the friend I called Darling Dan. He literally
bubbled with joy--jokes (corny was the favorite flavor. He was always brimming with caring, gratitude, humor, thoughtfulness --ready to listen,happy to share. Let's say the jolliest General-Captain-Major of goodwill and peace. Popping up online, or in a letter or in person as positively cheery, huggable and adorable as a Muppet -- brightening everyone's day. Around the end of May two years ago we lunched with Dan and Joan (I believe) in San Diego area. It's a very good memory-- sharing lunch in the sparkling sunlight on a cafe balcony overlooking the ocean, laughing (of course) and catching up on all just about everything. He owns a very bright space in my memory bank.
Thank you Sandi for creating this wonderful tribute to Dad. I will always believe that his loving touch stays gentle on all of our hearts. He was Dad or Grandpa to almost everyone because of such love he would show in his voice, his eyes and his wonderful laugh. I will miss our regular phone calls where he would answer "This is Joe's Bar and Grill..This is Joe Speaking" and we would both laugh. It was like joy would flow over me and no matter what we had to say it started and ended with a smile. I will miss those phone calls but I do know that he is with us always.
Suzy
Tonight I was looking for something inspiring to read and thought of your website -- voila!
I loved hearing about the boys and their moms, the sweet wedding, your neighbor Vern, and then the lovely and heart-touching tribute to your father in law.
Just reading about him and his effect on his wide circle of friends made me want to be a better person and to live a life that blesses. You're doing that now, so no wonder that you could identify and feel what Dan stood for -- and expressed. Loved all the comments too. It sounds as though your tribute unleashed a tide of gratitude from family and friends. I'm sorry I never met Dan, but I'm really happy that I know YOU!
Sandi, Thank you for your beautiful tribute to your father-in-law. As Rachel's son, I only had the pleasure of knowing Dan for a couple of years, but all that you said about him, from my brief experience, was true and on the mark.
I am a history teacher, and as fellow students of history, Dan and I shared some wonderful talks. My father-in-law was a decorated Marine who saw some of the worst fighting of the Pacific war. This was also the case with my college girlfriend's dad. And my father was on a landing craft at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, during the invasion of Normandy (aka: "D-Day"). So, including Dan, I have been privileged to know and discuss things with quite a few of the many "common people" involved in that epic conflict.
What has always amazed me is how someone could go through the experiences these men and women endured and NOT become callous and bitter when readjusting to civilian life; particularly with regards to their "spiritual" lives. My own father was the son of a minister, and had begun taking classes when he first entered college in pursuit of that vocation. After the war, however, when Dad returned to the civilian and college world, his sister (my Aunt Betty) noticed he had changed his major studies emphasis to English literature and history. When she inquired about his previous plans to go into the ministry, he simply replied, "Betty.... I've seen too much." Even though he never talked about what he had "seen" to anyone I know of, the experiences had (understandably) changed him, as they changed millions of other young people from that generation, as demonstrated so vividly by director Clint Eastwood in the recently released movies, "Flags of Our Fathers," and "Letters From Iwo Jima."
My point is this: Dan never seemed to let anything that life threw at him get him down, or make him think or talk like life, fate, or God had dealt with him unjustly. He truly was a very loving, kind, CHRISTIAN person. He not only "talked the talk," but he "walked the walk" too, which (sadly) is often not the case with those who call themselves Christians. From what I witnessed, however, and what Mom has told me in the (far too few) years they had together, he always remained true to our Lord's teachings and example, and those of Mrs. Eddy. To paraphrase Paul: "He ran a good race; he finished the course; and he kept his faith to the end." He was a good husband and life partner, a good father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and spiritual guide to so very many people over the years, and he remained true to the admonishments made famous by Pope John Paul II: "Be not afraid," and "Love one another."
I'd say that that's a pretty good resume for any one life!
My wife Shelley and I are so very blessed to have had the opportunity to know this wonderful man you have known so much longer. I envy you that, my dear. Please know that you, and Dan's whole extended family, are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad, but still joyous time, for anyone who shared in his remarkable life. With St. Paul, we pray that the peace of God, "....which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
How magnificent this tribute to Dan - so eloquent - sincere and right on target!!! I had to smile and laugh and most of all remain ever - ever grateful for the great privilege of having the joy of knowing this sweet - mighty angel!!!
I am very late in sending anything about our beloved Dan, but I’ll finally give it a try!
I liked to call my husband and partner, Dan, the man. I got him a sweat shirt with those very words and he liked to wear it on occasion. Dan was A MAN who certainly enjoyed every day of his life to the fullest and loved all his fellowman from his first waking moment.
He enjoyed telling the story of his proposal to me. It went something like this: We met about seven years, before our marriage, when I was visiting my daughter Marsha and family in Bothell.
When he moved back to California we became e-mail buddies. One day he realized we had exchanged more than 50 e-mails – we had gone to dinners and movies AND he would proudly say (we didn’t even hold hands in those darkened theatres); we had gone to church and lectures and then I received another e-mail saying, he had gotten up his courage and decided to write: “When are we going to STOP this brother-sister routine and get down to some serious talk of the romantic sort?”
He said my reply, in effect was: “I was wondering that 25 e-mails ago.” And so we were married on his parents wedding day which had been on July 2, 1919 – he always loved to add this caveat “that was 9 months and 10 minutes later when he entered this planet!”
We had a short two years together, but I wouldn’t exchange it for anything. He was a wonderful practitioner, as well as a teacher to me. He taught me much by living his daily life in the manner in which he did.
So, this is the man, named Dan, who loved and cared for all who crossed his path and I am grateful I was included in this new chapter in my life here in the state of Washington.
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