On Eagles' Wings

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

This hymn is a favorite of mine (and my entire family) and it is always played throughout the year at church services and always at my family funerals. My sister and I thought it was very fitting to have it sung at the end of my dad's funeral on January 27, which would have been his 60th birthday. I've been putting off this blog for nearly 2 months partly because I didn't have time and partly because I hadn't felt like writing anything. I'm crying right now as I write this...my whole world has been turned upside down when I found out my father passed away from a sudden heart attack while playing in a tennis tournament on Saturday, January 22. I had talked to him the night before and he was really excited because he and his teammate were the #1 seed going against the #2 seed. Tennis was a huge part of my dad's life for the last several years and I barely remember a conversation where he wasn't talking about it! He even left me a voicemail the Saturday morning of his death to say hello and he was hoping I was feeling better as I had been sick for a few weeks. I can still play that message to hear my dad's voice which I will treasure for a long time to come. The Wednesday before he passed, Keith and I found out that our little baby is a GIRL. I immediately called my dad to tell him the news and he was "over the moon excited" for us. Little did I know that 3 days later, he would be gone. It makes me terribly sad that my dad will never get to meet his first grandchild but I am comforted by the fact that he knew it was going to be a little girl and also comforted that I now forever have an angel looking over me.

I still can't believe that I am not even 30 years old and have lost my dad. Life just doesn't seem fair right now. I can't thank all of my family and friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support everyone has shown my sister and I over the last 6 weeks. I am truly blessed with wonderful people in my life. The prayers, cards, flowers, emails, phone calls, visits, meals, etc. have helped so much and are a constant reminder than I am not in this alone.

My dad's obituary:

Bruce Raguet Burrow of Springfield, Oregon died on January 22, 2011 of a heart attack. He was born January 27, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, to Mr. & Mrs. William F. Burrow, Sr.

He earned a B.A. in French Literature and a B.S. in Political Science, from Chapman University. Upon graduation of Chapman University, he was an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team in which he lettered all four years of college. In the late 1970’s, he was a stockbroker for Blyth Eastman and Dillon and also for Paine Webber. Later, as an independent oil and gas producer, he founded B&G Energy in 1981 where he moved to Midland, TX. In the winter of 1990, he moved to Oregon and spent the remaining 20 years of his life expanding his oil and gas company as well as acquiring gold mining rights in southern Oregon and Montana.   

Bruce’s family is rich in Texas history and played a role in the early years of Texas Republic. His great-great grandfather, Robert Irion, was Sam Houston's Secretary of State and Ambassador to England and France for the Republic of Texas. His great-great grandmother, Anna Raguet, designed the Republic's official seal which is still used today by the State of Texas. His grandfather, Joe A. Worsham, founded Worsham, Forsthye & Wooldrige. His father, William F. Burrow Sr., was a prominent trial attorney in Dallas for over 50 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Elysse Burrow Denton of Richardson, Texas, and Harriet Anna Burrow of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Nancy Parrish of Austin, Texas; and two brothers, Christopher Burrow, M.D. of Del Mar, California, and Gerard Burrow, M.D. of New Haven.

Bruce was laid to rest in Springfield, Oregon on January 27, his 60^th birthday, where he was surrounded by friends and family. Memorial contributions may be made to: Chapman University Athletic Department, Semester at Sea or the American Heart Association.

We decided to have a memorial reception at my house two weeks after my dad's funeral in Oregon so that family and friends who lived in Texas would be able to stop by and rejoice and celebrate my dad's life and legacy. Keith made a fantastic slideshow of photos from my dad's life and I wanted to post a few on today's blog. He was the cutest little kid!! 



Sweet and innocent little "Brucie"!





Dad as a sophomore in high school





Soccer coach at Chapman University





The Burrow brothers...they are fantastic skiers!!





Aren't we so cute?!





I love this photo...





Crater Lake, OR - 1990





Dad exploring the Benton Mine in southern Oregon





Mediterranean Cruise - 1997





Aggie graduation - 2004





Dancing to "You Look Wonderful Tonight" - it was our father/daughter dance at my wedding in 2008



I am so thankful I was able to spend a week with my dad in August last year as well as a long weekend with him in late October in San Antonio. Cherised memories that I will carry with me forever.



The last picture taken of my dad and me - San Antonio - October 2010

 I love you dad and you will be very deeply missed!!