A Good Candle – Thoughts on my father in law’s passing

A good candle burns smooth and clean. The flame blazing, yet consistent. A good candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Its power is not lessened. Its brilliance is not challenged. Its fire kindles another, flares briefly with the union, and then settles back to itself. A good candle’s wick is perfectly centered. It burns straight and true. A good candle is formed from pure wax that is all consumed leaving no trace when, at last, its flame turns to a drift of smoke and ghostly fades away. What is left is the radiance and vitality of all the other candles touched by its existence as they burn on.

My father in law, Dick Shelling, was a great candle. His light brought three wonderful children into this world. He continues to shine in their eyes and those of his 7 beautiful grandchildren. His fire is active and thriving in his three stepsons as well as the thousands of patients and their families his skill as a healer and mentor touched.

His flame was buffeted with gusts of life and puffs of fate, but he was centered in his being and his firm sense of right and service. He remained constant and strong and bright.

He lived a modest and purposeful life. His accomplishments are storied and he left us with no regrets when his flame finally slept.

His warmth and energy live on. His love and power are not extinguished, they have just been transformed and transferred. I feel him now. I love him now. He will ever continue to be a guiding light in my world and all who knew him.

He was a good friend. He was a great doctor. He was the best dad and Poppy.

We burn in his honor.