Good morning everyone.

It's the morning after my Dad's Celebration of Life memorial. I want to share with you some of my thoughts and reflections.

I want to thank everyone who attended live and virtually. I know Dad was with us in spirit yesterday, I felt him there. I know he was so happy to see all his family and friends gather together in his honor and memory.

Thank you to Pastor Richard Wallace who officiated Dad's service. He presented the eulogy, obituary and sermon in a thoughtful and heartfelt manner. We were grateful to have him.

A special Thank You to my niece, Trinity, for having the courage to sing a song to her grandfather. I know that was not easy when emotions were so high. She did a great job!

Thank you to my siblings, near and far who did their part in planning Dad's celebration of life. It was a meaningful and beautiful service, a tribute so fitting for our father. I know he is proud of all of you.

Thank you to my sister, Jessica, for spending countless hours designing and writing up the service program, prayer cards, poster boards, and printing hundreds of photos. It was all so beautiful. She and I worked together on many other details.

Thank you to our Aunt Mary Beth and Uncle Frank, who provided all the food and drinks for the service, and a beautiful floral arrangement.

Thank you to our family members Belinda, Brenda and Martha who provided beautiful plants and flowers for the service.

Thank you to my niece, Jaden, who helped with the live stream and setting up the decorations.

Thank you to my niece, Ashley and my sister Michele, for setting up all the food and drinks, and the many other things they did to help bring this together.

Thank you to my brother-in-law Gary, nephew Tristan, and my brother Steven for their tremendous help setting up the event hall, and to my husband Rick Guyett for helping me with many things behind the scenes and patiently enduring my anxiety throughout it all.

Thank you to everyone else who helped and I may have forgotten; please forgive me, my brain is still on overload.

I can tell you, planning a celebration of life for a parent is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life.

I'm proud of all of you who were able to get up and speak. I know some of you wanted to but just couldn't, due to emotions being so high, and I totally understand it, I almost didn't get up and speak either. I feel I was only able to do so because I felt dad's presence, standing there with me as I shared my words. My strength to do so came from Dad.

As I put this day behind me, I move forward knowing that it was not goodbye, just a "see you later" until we meet again.

Let us keep Dennis's / Dad's memory alive by striving to be as good as he; a loving, compassionate, happy and funny person. Heaven is a brighter and funnier place since dad's arrival, and all who reside in the house of the Lord are lucky to have him!

I love you all more than you know. ❤️

Amen. 🙏🏼