My Dad: Celebrating the life of Dural Glen Sizemore

Dural Glen Sizemore
(Born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky)
October 2, 1939 - July 17, 2026

I remember…

My Dad trying to teach me to ride a bike. He wore out his legs from holding the back and moving like crazy to keep up. He knew I was afraid I would fall.

I remember…

Sunday afternoon car rides, just to sight-see, and of course we got ICE CREAM .

I remember…

Those times that I would stand on his feet and we would dance around the floor. No music, just whatever song was in my Dad’s head.

I remember…

Watching my Dad sit in his chair reading anything he could get his hands on. In turn passing on his lifelong love of reading.

I remember…

He painted freehand, no stencils, my and my brother’s bedrooms. My brother’s was cowboys and Indians, racing down a hillside.  Mine was decorated with the old nursery rhymes.

My parents, brother and I

It’s amazing what you remember when situations cause you to reflect. All the small things you take for granted as children, become huge when the memories are all you have left.

My Dad was a strong man who cared deeply for his family. We were his priority and he made sure that we never worried about anything. My brother and I enjoyed a carefree childhood.

Dad loved to tell stories. It didn’t matter who you were, there was a story coming your way, but it was up to you to decide whether it was made up or not. There was a tip-off, though. If he made it up, he would start chuckling and try to tell you the end of the story.

Now that my time for making memories with my dad is over, I can look fondly at all the things he taught and instilled in me. First and foremost was to always be honest in all that you do as well as my avid love of reading. And most of all, my love for desserts of all kinds.

Dad escorting me into a new and wonderful life

There are not enough words in this whole, entire world to tell you what my Dad means to me and how much I love him.

I will forever be proud to be called Dural and Pat’s daughter.

Because of you Dad, I can stand tall and be thankful for the sweet heritage you have given to me

Some day soon, we will meet again.

The Dural Sizemore Family

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV

LL Smith

The Beginning after the End

 

Image via Pexels of Pixabay

So it begins…

Time goes by so fast. One day you’re standing in the church, white dress, bridesmaids,and lots of guests. At the front of the church is the love of your life, waiting to start your future together.       

Then, in a blink, you’re standing in the funeral home, watching the casket close on a life you weren’t done living.

Where do I go from here?

So the funeral is over. The cemetery service and the meal are through. I went back to our home. Oh how quiet it is, having to try to figure out life…

Eventually the calls, texts, and invitations dwindle off. Then you think, this is not what I signed up for.

BILLS! 

LAWNMOWERS! 

WASHING MACHINES!

Reality will soon hit, because life does not stop when your spouse dies. 

The bills keep coming, things break down and need to be fixed. There are so many things to take care of. 

In this situation, the realization of all the jobs your spouse took care of, have just transitioned to your jobs. So you stumble through learning the finances. You look on the internet to learn how to change a lawnmower battery, and you buy out all of Menard’s plumbing area to fix the washing machine drain. (Not really, but it felt like it…)

New normal

Life will never be normal again and this isn’t the fairy tale I dreamt of.

Hopefully, for folks who find themselves in these challenging and life-altering situations, like me, you’ll find a place where you have peace. 

Maybe consider joining a church, or meeting up with friends for lunch, or joining a Christian singles group, who will pray for you and with you and give you the opportunity to do the same for them. 

Most of all… LIVE! 

Final notes

I have found the best way to make it through my days is to let Jesus be my Rock, Protector and Provider.

When I was dependent on my husband to be everything (which was wonderful), I somehow lost sight of what God really wanted to be in my life. I’ve since learned He wanted to be the ultimate One I depended on. 

I now do.

He always has (and still does) every moment of every day.

Hope to have you back for the next edition, and cover me in prayer as I begin this new adventure in blogging.

"...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (New King James Version)

LLSmith