From Patricia

Wayne Attwood is my father-in-law. I keep that sentence in the present tense because, though he is gone, his influence in my life continues. Perhaps his impact is even greater now that I must wrestle with how much I will miss his help, his wise advice, his encouraging presence in my children’s lives, and his deep friendship with my husband, Todd. I know it is the same for all of us—there is a hole. It varies in size, depending on the relationship, but we are all strengthened and encouraged because we share this grief. Thank you for grieving alongside Wayne’s family.

I will always cherish the affirmation I received from Wayne. Dad was very calculated in his compliments and that is why they meant so much. Todd went through a difficult health crisis in 2016/17. It was a test of endurance for all of us and God miraculously restored him. As the family sat in our living room one day, thanking God for taking care of us, Wayne spoke up. “We must acknowledge how Patricia walked so well as Todd’s helpmate.” The purpose of saying this is not to draw attention to myself but to emphasize how meaningful it was to be acknowledged by Dad. He was proud of us when we lived out the character of Christ. 

I will always be grateful for the thought and wisdom Dad brought to our conversations. He was quick to listen and slow to speak. He was an excellent teacher. He appreciated my questions. I so enjoyed asking Dad about the latest book he was reading and receiving a thorough lesson on the many topics he studied and understood well. I remember him explaining to me a passage in Exodus 36 about the building of the temple. Two men, Bezalel and Oholiab, are specifically mentioned as workers in “whom the Lord had put His skill and understanding to know how to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary” and that their “hearts were stirred to perform this work.” Dad was very moved because he could see himself in these scriptures.  

Probably his favourite book, after the Bible, was Oswald Chamber’s classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. I decided to read it a couple of years ago because I had seen Wayne pick it up day by day for decades. There is so much to learn from this book! And what a fitting title—Wayne wanted to be his utmost as a man for the highest glory of God. Dad wanted others to look at him and also desire the help and support of Christ. 

I thank God for Dad and for his example of steadfast faithfulness to us through all the seasons of life.