I suppose all children have great recollections. Many of mine are about my father.

Choice memories of my dad go back to my earliest recollections. He has always been my best friend, my advocate, my hero.

A number of years ago, I went to a general priesthood meeting with Dad. I have been doing this throughout my life when I have had the good fortune of living in the same general area as he did. This became a sort of tradition for us, as it is for many fathers and sons. What was unique about this particular priesthood meeting didn't actually happen during the meeting, however, but occurred instead afterward as we walked from the chapel on the way to our car. These are his words as I remember them:

"Mathew, I have always wanted to teach that it is our ancestors and loved ones on the other side of the veil who are our guardian angels, but I didn't openly promote it because I never heard the brethren comment on that as such—until tonight.

"Elder Eyring’s talk this evening was beautiful. Now I feel that I have justification to teach that very principle."
Today is Dad's birthday. It’s been eight long years since his passing. Of course, I miss him greatly, but he is by no means forgotten. In fact, he is part of my life now perhaps more than ever because his lack of proximity and ill health are no longer barriers to his involvement in our lives. For example:

• He is part of my newly found job, guidance, and direction
• He inspires me to endure to the end when the going gets rough
• He helps me make good choices and rear a strong family to choose the right
• His stellar example taught me the importance of following Christ
• He is in the successes of my children

Dad always spent time listening, encouraging the family, and making us feel important and self-respected.
I never saw him discouraged. My friends would ask "Does your dad always smile?" Yeah. Pretty much always. I asked him once why that was so. He said "When I consider all of my blessings, I can't help it."

When my son Steven served a mission to Argentina, he was two thousand miles away. I didn’t visit with him every day and spoke with him rarely—like once-a-year perhaps. But I received correspondence from him and wrote letters in return. Though we were miles apart and did not see one another for an extended period of time, I did not talk about him in the past tense. That would have been ludicrous. I knew he was doing something important and that activity separated us for a time. Similarly, my dad is on the other side of the veil. He is assuredly serving the Lord in various capacities, I have no doubt. And like I received occasional correspondence from my son, I feel Dad is watching over us, just as he did when he was here on earth. True. We are separated for a time, and I can’t talk with him face-to-face as frequently as I would like, but I feel him in my life. He still influences me through his personal history, through his many stories, his example, and my memories of him. Yet I know I will see him again soon. This knowledge influences my choices today.  I still can’t talk about him in the past tense any more than I can talk about my missionary son in the past tense. He is a great dad, setting an example I can follow today. He teaches me about the essential role of Jesus Christ and the choice blessings in store for us Because of Him.

My daughter Melanie just got back from a humanitarian trip to the Philippines. The whole experience was a joy, but I missed her while she was gone and honestly couldn't wait to see her again. I anticipated her return and shed tears of joy as we embraced when we saw each other again. I expect it's going to be a lot like that when I am reunited with Dad.
​
Happy Birthday Dad. I love you.
 
Questions and Answers

My memoir of Dad
​

Jeffrey R Holland - Sat PM

We have all wondered how the ancient Israelites could not simply look to the brass serpent raised on a pole to be healed. Similarly, the words of our leaders are the healing balm to our heartaches. Rhetorically I ask how can one choose a favorite star? It's unimaginable. But if there were a favorite, this certainly would be among the top candidates - our saintly mothers.