Dad's Wishes

Name:            Carol Rubenacker
Email:           cacker01@yahoo.com
Location:        Ojai, California
Type:            Angel
Date:            Sunday, September 19, 1999

Dad had been ill for about 3 months before he died and I traveled from AZ to CA to be with him as much as I could. When the time finally came December 30 he died quietly in his sleep. This was a very hard time for me and I felt really cheated. Although I believe in God I had my doubts about what happen and where a person goes after death.

About 1:00 AM I went to bed in the guest house. I slept for a few hours then was awake again and decided to pack up and head home. It was still dark out when I started loading up my truck. The air was cool but no breeze. I had taken one load to the truck and was returning to my room when all of a sudden the wind chimes under the carport started ringing. I stopped. Turned around with tears in my eyes and said "Thank You Dad, now I know you are okay and I will be too". From that day on everytime I hear wind chimes I know that Dad is in heaven and looking out for me. He is my special angel.

Before Dad died he requested no funeral because he didn't want people crying over his death because he knew he was going to a much better place. My step-mother and us children decided to have a gathering at the home about 15 days past the fact. A few close friends and family to do a private memorial. It was a beautiful January day and we had set tables and chairs up outside for guests. Inside the house was a small memorial for all to see along with his ashes which (and justly so) have been interned in an ammo can (he is a Marine). Everyone gathered outside and as a person felt moved they said their goodbyes by telling favorite memories they had with Dad. It was starting to get quite teary eyed. All of a sudden there was a great boom! All was immediately quiet. Slowly a few people got up to see what made the sound. Low and behold a tire on Dad's trailer had blown out. No one had been around it. It wasn't a side blow but right through the tread. Sue said the tires were only about 6-7 month old. Everyone slowly and quietly started talking trying to figure out what happened. I knew that Dad had done it because, he didn't want us sad. It was his way of saying "Okay enough of that"! Then the nervous laughter started and we got back to our stories without alot of further tears but with lots of love and stories.