I will never forget the ways my dad showed up for me. When I was a kid, my dad worked nights at the newsroom and oftentimes wasn't home after school. I always knew I could count on hearing his voice when he would call to tell us goodnight and ask about my day.

Sometimes our phone calls would involve discussing homework. He loved math, and I struggled with it for the longest time. I will never forget waking up and seeing the notes he left on the kitchen table to give me hints about the problems I was struggling with.

He was a consistent spectator at my bowling matches and was always there to give me tips on my form.

When I was obsessed with the Backstreet Boys, he was the one who waited outside of the venue with me to watch their tour bus drive in.

When I was in college, I thought I was going to be alone on one of my birthdays. That evening, I heard a knock on my door. My dad had driven down to campus and showed up unannounced to take me out to dinner.

While he wasn't much for small talk or sharing details about himself, I knew I could count on his email forwards several times a week. The good ones included a note full of sarcasm and dry humor. He was a pro at delivering a deadpan joke or comment when you were least expecting it.

I will always remember my dad for his quick wit, for his obsession with all professional Chicago sports (but never the Cubs, because he was a south sider), and for putting others before himself, even to his detriment. I am thankful for the time we had together, and it's hard to believe he's gone.

Sliding and rolling down the sand dunes, going on car trips out west, fishing in the summer and eating White Castle burgers on the way home, bowling in the winter and playing in the back yard with our Alaskan Malamute dog George, even watching the sky light up when the steel mills would dump slag at night-all the things we used to do when we were young-this is what I remember most when I think about my brother Kent.

Though those times were long ago they are still very vivid and pleasant memories that I cherish. Our conversations since then have helped us grow closer even though time wasn’t on our side. I’ll always be glad for all those times we had together.

I know you fought so hard against that evil cancer and in our carnal minds "you lost" that battle. No. God is in control over all that evil tries to destroy us with on earth. SO many were praying for a new, better trial that would have extended your life with us or possibly a cure as time went. Well...evil lost, Kent. You ARE cured. You are free from all the physical pain and did win your battle. It was just not meant to be in God's plan for you to go into remission or cured from cancer on earth. You are where all Christ-followers will be, safe in Jesus' arms now. No more pain nor tears shed again. I will always remember when you took me, Lindsay and Jason to one of Rev. Billy Graham's last crusades in his older age in Ohio. His words will always keep me going in this life until we are all reunited again.

"God's words through Billy":

Billy Graham often was called upon to soothe the nation in stressful times. But his words of wisdom resounded no matter what the situation. And he made clear that this Earth was just a way station: “My home is in Heaven. I’m just passing through this world.”

Here's a collection of notable quotes during his life:

On the journey to Heaven:

“The most thrilling thing about Heaven is that Jesus Christ will be there. I will see Him face to face. Jesus Christ will meet us at the end of life’s journey.”

“Heaven doesn’t make this life less important; it makes it more important.”

“The Bible says that as long as we are here on Earth, we are strangers in a foreign land. There are enemies to be conquered before we return home. This world is not our home; our citizenship is in Heaven.”

“The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first in Heaven.”

I will keep reminding myself of "Billy's" words above, through however long I am still living in this life. Your job is finished on earth now, Kent. We who are left behind still have work to do according to God's plan. It is not good-bye but...see you later. I know many days will be very tough going until then. Philippians 4:13 will keep me going. We will keep on with all the good memories and remembering that in all things God is in control.

Love - Denise