Charles William "Bill" Burns

Burns, Charles William

Thank you all for joining my mom and I and our family, Saturday, April 7th to celebrate my dad’s life. He was such a fun dad. He was a favorite dad to all of my friends growing up. He was silly and goofy and always made things interesting.



When I was a young girl I remember piling blankets and pillows up in front of the t.v. so we could watch Elvira and Wolfman Jack. He also set the telescope up for me to look at the moon and the stars whenever I asked. And he would tell me about the constellations and other astronomical information that he knew I would enjoy. I was such a daddy’s girl.



As I got older, he never missed an opportunity to make me cringe. He would say the absolute worst possible thing at the worst possible moment and I know he did it just to get a rise out of me. I’m going to miss that. I’m also going to miss how he greeted me every time we spoke on the phone or saw each other in person. I can hear his voice sayin’ “Hi darling, how are ya?” I’m going to miss that too. And those of you that connected to him on Facebook… you know that I am going to miss every cringe worthy political post. I ate every bit of it up. I am sure you know what I mean.



He loved his grandchildren and he was so very proud of them. He would get them all riled up and then yell them to settle down. It was the best and I loved it and so did they.



My dad taught me many things. He taught me to express my emotions. He was the first to cry at the drop of a hat and yell at one too. He taught me that it was ok to express my opinions and that people that mattered in our lives would still love us. He taught me how to be true to myself and how to guard myself when necessary. He showed me that life was so much more fun when you make things interesting. I give him the credit for the strength and courage I now have.



I always knew he was a strong man but watching him fight for his life showed me just how truly strong he was. Full of fight, determination and such a strong will. He waited for me to make it home so I could be with him when he took his last breath. Daddy that is a gift I will cherish for the rest of my life. Oh how I love you daddy.



As silly as my dad was most of the time, we did share one very profound moment together. There was a time when my kids were so very young and my whole world seemed to be crashing all around me, I was feeling so defeated and lost. And I was trying so hard to pick up the pieces and pull myself out of that mess. I was trying so desperately to do all of the right things but none of my efforts seemed to give me results to improve my circumstances and I cried to my dad, why are things not getting any better? What am I doing wrong? And my dad said, honey the universe is a very big place and it just needs a little more time to catch up to you. I will hold those words in my heart forever.



As I end my reflection today, I would like to share with you our last conversation. We were on the phone just after he was admitted to the hospital this last time. He told me how scared he was and asked me if this is how it was going to end. He knew. I love you daddy. Don’t forget to always show me signs that you are with me. Cause a stir up there in heaven and I will see you again.