Somewhere down the road,
There'll be answers to the questions.Somewhere down the road,
Though we cannot see it now.Somewhere down the road,
You'll find mighty arms reaching for you,And they will hold the answers
At the end of the road.

("Somewhere Down the Road," by Amy Grant)

Dear Dad,

I really miss you today. I'm not sure exactly why, but it just hit me as I was writing daily devotionals and listening to Amy Grant sing an old song, "Somewhere Down the Road." As I spoke honestly with our heavenly Father while listening to this song's words of promise, my heart went to you and I realized just how much I miss you sharing my journey down the road


Al with his young son Phil
There have been so many wonderful things in my life that I wish you could have been around to share with us — the way your boys are serving the Kingdom, your precious grandchildren and the growing group of great grandchildren, the grace and character of your daughter-in-laws, the way mom came through all the tough times, and the exciting new music we have in the church today. You'd really love it all! I miss not getting to share it with you until I get somewhere down the road with you.

I guess since you're somewhere down the road, you have more answers to your questions than I do. Now don't get me wrong, I don't doubt my faith or our Father in heaven. It's just that there are so many unknowns and unexplained things that dot my life. So many of them are good. It's hard to understand why I should be so blessed. For much of that, I have you and mom to thank. You two taught me what was important and how to find others with whom I could share those important things as I go down life's road.

Light Box: I just wanted to say "Thanks!" and "I miss you."

Al Ware as a Boy
But there are harder things that intersect and disrupt life that are difficult to understand. I have often wished that I could lean on your experience and wisdom instead of having to blunder my way through. It's really hard learning things the hard way. It's even harder trying to help others who are going through tough times and not having any good explanations for them. I trust that somewhere down the road they'll get their answers, too.

Anyway, enough of my rambling, I just wanted to say "Thanks!" and "I miss you," and "some days are harder than others to wait until I'm somewhere down the road and I'm with you again."

Love always,

Phil

For we can say all this to you confidently because it is the word of the Lord: we who are still alive and left behind when the Lord comes will not precede those who have fallen asleep in death. ... Then we who are alive and left behind will be snatched up together with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is how we, the resurrected and the living, will be with Him forever. So comfort one another with this hope, and encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 The Voice).

Al "Buddy" Ware passed away after a long battle with a very difficult and painful illness in September of 1980, shortly after his first grandchild was born. Al was a godly man, the first true worship leader I experienced, known as "Daddy Al" to many beloved teenagers and college students, an elder in the church, and my dad.