Monday, March 1, 2010

Matt's Eulogy

This past week has been one of the toughest of my life. Not only has Matt lost his dad and I a wonderful father-in-law, but my children have lost their Papaw. There are no 3 people on this Earth closer than Matt, Mark, and Papaw. He passed 5 weeks from the time we found out about his cancer and we are going to miss him so terribly much. Matt and his family were so overwhelmed by the outpouring of people who came to mourn our loss. I am not surprised because I knew the type of person Papaw was. He was so many things to so many people. We were told many times what a wonderful funeral it was. That it was the most uplifting service anyone had ever been to. It was truly a celebration of life that represented Papaw well. No one left the service without laughing and crying. With permission I am typing Matt's eulogy that he delivered at the service. It was so hard for him to do but he wanted to honor his dad in this way.

Everybody please bare with me as I am about to do the hardest thing in my life and that is to talk about Ralph Tatum Tyler. Believe it or not he is now singing better than Brother Patton. And oh how he loved to sing.

The name Ralph Tatum was used by his mother. Usually when she thought he was being too hard on me and Mark, or when she had had enough of his picking. And everybody knows how much he loved to pick on people.

When it came to the 2 women he loved in his life, he was called Husband and Brother. Mom and Aunt Lou: I know he did not always show affection towards you two, but he truly loved both of you.

Papaw was used when it came to my 2 children: "Boom Boom" and "Lu Lu". He said one of the most disappointing things about dying was that he would not be able to see them grow up. Well Papaw, you now have the best seat in the house.

Then there were names like Big Ralph, Fat Boy, and King. All of these were shared by numerous friends he had throughout his life. And then there are some nicknames that I cannot share here today that he had.

For 33 years he was called Coach Tyler(he had taught PE and drivers ed at Bossier High). That is an awful long time to be called COACH to have never coached a sport.

Finally there is a name that Ralph Tatum Tyler went by and that was My Dad. These 2 words are the most cherished words that come out of my lips for Mark and myself: My Dad. Over the past week I have been told numerous times that my dad was a man's man. People, you do not know how much that means to me and my brother. He did not say that he loved us much but that was my dad. We knew it through my dad's actions. He told me last week while lying in bed that when he saw me entering the gates of heaven that he'd come running. Well Dad, I will meet you halfway. THANK YOU for raising us the way you did. I hope to turn out half the man that he was. I LOVE YOU.


And on this day I KNOW he made his daddy proud.

12 comments:

Babymakes3forthesullivans! said...

Thank you for posting this Suzanne and think you Matt for allowing us all to read this eulogy. I can't possible imagine what you are going through as a family but it was always so evident in all of your FB and blogging that Matt's dad was a wonderful man and loved his family very much. The family pictures turned out wonderful.

dani said...

Thank you for sharing those beautiful words and pictures. I will continue to pray for yall and your whole family for strength to get thru this tough time.

Hannah Lee said...

Oh my. What a powerful eulogy. I am in tears now. I know this was a hard loss for your family, but I am overwhelmed at the love and support you guys had for each other. So wonderful, Suzanne.

Halls said...

So glad you posted this! beautiful! My mom is still talking about the funeral and how wonderful it was. It says so much about Ralph! I will continue to keep you guys in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

My sympathy to you and your family. The eulogy Matt did was wonderful and you can tell heart felt. I only know you and your family but I can tell by all that was said that he was a very special and loved person. Thinking of all of you. Mrs. Nancy

the Jennings secede from the South said...

That is really beautiful- thank you for sharing that. What an amazing eulogy. What an amazing legacy.

Tracey Toms Van Hoy said...

I bawled the whole time he was up there speaking and the tears are flowing again! I am so proud of Matt!
Love you guys very much!

Tracey

Anonymous said...

I am not sure how I found your blog, but you are one of many that I read from time to time. I am sory for your loss. I sat at my desk yesterday sobbing after reading your post. I know family is so dear, and I am so close to my family as well. Please let your husband know that I did not know his father, but I feel as though I did because of him and his words and your blog.

Sandra Clayton said...

Suzanne that a beautiful eulogy that Matt made. I know it must have been hard. You have a beautiful family. Jake looks like Matt and Landry looks like you. Very Beautiful. I know Mr Tyler was a good man the things that I have heard from Sandra. I sure miss her. Lean on the Lord and he will see you through. You will be in my prayers. Love Sandra Clayton

Unknown said...

The last paragraph is one of the sweetest things i've ever read.I'm sure Matt,s dad was smiling down on you all as he listened to Matt deliver his eulogy.
Tanya Florence

jessie said...

i bought it at kool kids so it very well may have been hers!

Jared and Michelle said...

Thank you for sharing this with us! I type this as I am crying my eyes out. I cannot imagine this day in my own life, especially now that I have a child. I pray that the Lord will give me the strength to handle it when the time comes. Continue to find happiness in the fact that he is in a better place and one day you will be reunited with him in Heaven! Hugs!!