Emmy Medders for Tiny Tags x Target

“Well done, well done. My good and faithful one.” 
You have won the race and now you are home. 

My angel, my Dad. My hero is healed and at rest. My precious Daddy succumbed to his difficult battle with ALS. Five years of fighting so bravely, yet so beautifully, ceased, with him never once complaining about the cruel disease or his condition. In difficult moments, he was always the comforter. He constantly reminded my family of the things we should be grateful for, and how blessed we truly were. 

Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me so many valuable life lessons, for teaching me to play tennis, for teaching me to appreciate the small simple things in life, for teaching me to be kind to others and love with all my heart, for reminding me to never take advantage of the beautiful gift of life. Thank you for leading our family well. Thank you for helping our family keep all things in perspective, focusing on the things that really matter in this lifetime and always pointing us back to Jesus. 

I’m going to miss seeing your beautiful smile that always lit up any room, sharing your unbelievable wisdom and advice, and reading your comments on all of my Instagram posts saying “I love you.” I’ll miss your silly dance moves and your desire to always play or watch tennis. I’m going to miss calling you every single night just to say “Goodnight, I love you.” I’m going to miss your smell, your hugs, and your voice. There are so many memories that I will always, always, always hold in my heart forever. 

I told him moments before he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus that today was going to be one of the best days of his entire life, and he knew it. I held his hand with tears welled in my eyes, smiling through the pain reminding him of how beautiful this day was going to be for him. I whispered to him that we were so happy that at any minute he would be rejoicing in Heaven fully healed and restored again. He would be able to walk, run, breathe, talk…literally all of the things that cruel disease ALS took from him here on this Earth. No more pain and no more suffering. What a beautiful day it was for him. Selfishly, I wanted him to stay, but I am so comforted knowing he is healed and we will see him again.

My amazing dad. My first love…a creative genius, a true family man, and an amazing father and husband. Thank you for being the best father I could have ever asked for. I will love you forever and I will miss you until the day we meet again, Daddy. I so look forward to that glorious day. 

The Angel Wing necklace stays very close to my heart where my dad will always remain. He is an angel now, and I will forever cherish all the special memories we had together. What an absolute honor it was to be his little girl. 

- Emmy Medders