When you lose a loved one, you somehow, logical or not, think that it will get easier as time goes by. Actually, you just get used to them being gone…until their birthday or their death day comes around. Then, it hits you all over again. That’s where I find myself today, missing my dad, Allen Spencer on the 18th anniversary of his passing. My dad was my hero, as is the case for many little girls, but he was also in the Army Airforce in World War II, and every one of the men who fought in that, or any other war is a hero. It takes guts, sacrifice, and much courage to fight in any war, and I am thankful that my dad made it home.
My dad always thought of others before himself. During the war, he wrote letters home, and while he knew that he was always in danger, Dad tried to reassure his mom that he’d come home safely, talking about the brand-
new B-17 Bomber assigned to him and his crew. You could feel the excitement in his words, as if he were speaking them directly to you. He described how the plane flew “so smoothly” and why “they call it the flying fortress.” He loved the beautiful new aircraft, but he also knew exactly what they would be flying into. He had hoped for a furlough before heading overseas, but that didn’t happen, and he still didn’t know where he’d be stationed, but he didn’t want his mom to worry. Flying into an uncertain future, unsure if he’d return, his thoughts were still for her and her feelings. That was just who he was. With determination, he promised he’d “return home in the same condition as he left,” protected by the plane built to be the “dread of the airways” and by God’s watchful care…and so he did. He was not even wounded…and we are grateful.
Dad was the perfect “girl dad,” always making sure his girls were happy and had what we all needed. We didn’t 
make life easy for Dad…especially in our teen years. Dad had to get up pretty early to get in the bathroom ahead of his five daughters and his wife, our mom, Collene Spencer, who didn’t get much chance in there either. Even with all the drama of teenaged girls, they were a team, and they were always there for us. We were so blessed with the parents we were given, and they day each of them went home to Heaven was the worst day ever. It’s so hard for me to believe that my dad has been in Heaven 18 years now. I can’t say it has become easier to face that fact, because it really never gets easier. You don’t get over this, you just get on with it. It’s what our dad and mom would want us to do, and so we have. We love and miss you all, Dad. Give Mom and Alena a hug from all of us.
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