Nicole Marie Murphy

Dear Sweet Niki,

Before I met your mom, I wanted a family to care for, to work for and to love. I hoped and prayed for a family so rich and saturated in love that should any of us stumble, the others would rush to catch.  My hope was for a family whose children would blossom into my friends.

You were not only Susan’s and my first child, but you grew to become a great and cherished friend.  On the day you were born, I may have been handed a face in a blanket, but the moment your eyes found mine, I knew I was holding a seed filled with all of Heavens beauty.

Life is filled with changes and challenges.  Our mission is to face them with openness, to find the gift in all things and to live & love without conditions.  I’ve seen you move through challenges and changes with both smiles and tears.  But most of what I’ve seen is you blossoming from an adorable little girl, into a beautiful and capable woman.

I always expected you to be holding my hand when God called me home…certainly not the other way around.  But His ways are not always easy to understand.

With all you went through, your smile never left. I trust your first breath in heaven was a gasp of awe and amazement as you again look into the faces of your Mom, Susan, your little Brother, Jacob and the other’s you loved that crossed before you.  I sincerely hope those massive dogs you loved so much, were all wiggles and kisses when they saw that you’ve come home, to where they’ve been patiently waiting. 

And that God himself giggled a bit as he watched his children, two legged and four, lovingly reconnect. 

You have been a blessing, a joy and a wonderful daughter and friend.

With much love for you…Always and Forever.

Your Family and Friends…and me…Your Dad.