Melanie dances with her dad, David Maas
Daughters are supposed to love their fathers. Fathers are supposed to cherish their daughters. Some fathers are fortunate enough to become their daughter’s hero. And when a father is finally old enough to be alone and in need of care, he is especially blessed to have a daughter sacrifice her own life to bless his.
Over the past four decades I’ve had a front row seat to one of the most beautiful love stories you will ever see. Admittedly, I’ve been more than just a spectator, but it’s not my story. It’s about Melanie and her dad. If you know my wife Melanie, you would know that she is one of the most beloved people on the planet. So it should be no surprise to learn that she is a reflection of her father, David Maas.
I cannot count the number of people who’s lives have been changed for the better because of Dave. I certainly include myself in that list. Dave was known for his Godliness and lifetime of absolute faithfulness. His heart was generous, and his demeanor was always gentle and kind. The site of a child would instantly bring a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eye. He loved the simple things, and knew the value of family.
It’s easy to love someone when it costs you little. But for the past four years or so, we have taken care of “Grandpa Dave” in our home. He was a strong man and fairly self-sufficient, but he required 24×7 attention. And never once did Melanie complain. She cared for Grandpa Dave with a tenderness that daughters reserve for their fathers.
And despite the severe dementia, her dad would tell her nightly that he loved her. Memorial Day night he squeezed her hand and again told her that he loved her. The next day he gently passed into glory as he rested in his reclining chair with Melanie nearby.
The picture for this post was the last time that Grandpa Dave ever danced. How fitting that it was with his dear daughter Melanie. The final Father-Daughter dance, reflecting on a life of joy and love and happiness. Their next dance will have to wait for a more heavenly dance floor.
This has been a difficult six months for our family since we lost our dear son, Elijah. The loss of Grandpa Dave is bittersweet. We celebrate his promotion to glory after 96 years of a life that honored God. We imagine the reunion with his wife Louise, and the greeting he is receiving from Elijah and those who have gone before him. But we will miss him in ways that are not yet even obvious. And Melanie has the double pain of losing a son and her father in the span of just a few months.
Dave was Melanie’s hero. She will be with him again someday. And they will dance together. How do we know that? Because our Father God has already shown us what to expect. He is our ultimate hero. He promises to always be with us. And He dances with us in shouts of joy and celebration.
The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and dances over you with shouts of joy. (Zephaniah 3:17 – God’s Word translation, modified)
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-Ken Buchanan
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