No Regrets – the Power of Forgiveness

October 17, 2009 · Filed Under general · Comment 

On September 28th, about 3 weeks ago, I got a call at 6am.  My Father had unexpectedly passed away during the night in his sleep. He was 76 years old.

As the oldest son, I immediately packed up some clothes and made the four-hour drive home with my wife. I knew it was going to be a difficult week.  So many emotions, so many things to do, so many tears to shed.

The drive was very numb… no radio, no music, very few spoken words.  Just lots of thinking.

I remember thinking very clearly about my relationship with my dad.  It was good, very good.

It wasn’t always good.  When I was in high school and college, I had such an anger within myself, and I often focused it on my dad. It was totally misdirected. The enemy was relentless and obviously at work to destroy the father-son relationship. But, thankfully, when I was out of college and chasing after God, he showed me that my anger was wrong, misdirected and inaccurate.  Over a period of a few months, God began to show me just how much my dad loved me and how hard he worked for me.  The anger melted away and forgiveness flooded my heart.  I wrote him a letter apologizing and telling him how much I appreciated him.

Everything changed in my relationship with my dad after that letter.  We were closer.  We hugged more.  We talked more.  I sought his advice on business decisions, artistic decision, personal decision.  It was wonderful!

On the drive to San Marcos that morning, I remembered where our relationship was and where it had grown to, and the feeling of peace covered me like a blanket. I had no regrets. None.  There were no, “I wish I would have said…” or “I wish we had done this…”  No regrets.  Everything I wanted to say and do, I did.

There is power in forgiveness… incredible power.

Over these past three weeks, people have been asking me how I’m doing. Sure, there’s pain, but honestly there is also peace. Yes, there’s grieving, loss, mourning and pain. But, there doesn’t have to be regret. Forgiveness is your choice.

These past few weeks, I’ve been encouraging those around me to make things right with everyone close to them. It’s healthy. It’s powerful. It’s commanded. Forgiveness is an incredible choice that can free you to live a full life. Someone said to me this week that our focus in this life needs to be “the 6 or 7 people who will be crying at your funeral… your family”.

I’m going to start a series of blog postings about the forgiveness and how we can find freedom through forgiveness.

Richard Pond

Richard Lee “Dick” Pond passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday morning, September 28th in San Marcos, Texas. He was born on December 25, 1932 in Lubbock, Texas. Immediately after they were born, Dick and his identical twin, Donald Ritchie “Don”, were adopted by Virgil Lee Pond and Alice Irene “Betty” Rutherford Pond of Amarillo, Texas.

Dick and DonAs a young boy, Dick delivered prescriptions on his bicycle, worked at a soda fountain and set pins at the local bowling alley to earn his lunch money. While in high school, Dick was the school photographer where his interest in photography began to grow. Immediately after high school graduation, Dick joined the Navy in 1951. He moved to Santa Barbara, California to study at the Brooks Institute of Photography where he was elected student body president. After graduating with honors, Dick moved to Minnesota where he worked for master photographers, Bob Pritchard and Everett Kroger.

Dick and RustyWhile in Minnesota, Dick bought a golden retriever that he named “Rustler of the Red River”, or Rusty. After two short years of obedience training, Rusty obtained the highest level of recognition, a “Utility Degree (UD)”, which landed Dick and Rusty on the cover of “Dog World Magazine”. Over the course of 13 years, Dick and Rusty went on to win more than 90 awards.

studioIn 1960, Dick moved to Gallup, New Mexico, to manage a photography studio for Helen Auble. Next door to the studio was a coffee shop that he would often frequent. There he met Paula Mary Ziak, a waitress who served him his coffee. On September 19, 1964, the two were married. Dick continued bowling, training dogs and became one of the most prominent photographers in the area. He photographed the Ladies International Basketball Championships in Gallup, and his work was used in the High School Girls’ Athletics basketball handbook. He won many photography awards.

Russ and RandyWhile in Gallup, their first son, Russell Lee Pond, was born. Shortly after his birth, the new family followed friends Vi and Auvel Adcock to San Marcos, Texas where Dick launched his own photography business, Pond Studio, in November 1967. Their second son, Randy Lee Pond, was born three years later. The Pond family spent many summers camping at Canyon Lake, where they would fish, water ski, and enjoy time with friends.

Dick had the opportunity to indulge his entrepreneurial spirit. His photography business continued to flourish with countless school, wedding and family photos. He ran a dog obedience school called “Pond’s Canine College”. With his experience and skill as a dog trainer, he often coordinated and judged the dog relay races at Chilympiad, and taught obedience classes for the German Shepherd Dog Club of Austin. Dick also purchased property in Martindale where he rented and maintained five mobile homes for many years.

Dick was an avid bowler, and he participated in many local leagues, as well as state and national tournaments. He was the Bowling League and San Marcos Association president for many years. Dick also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

reclinerIn 1995, Dick closed Pond Studio and continued working as a photographer out of his home. He also spent much time working in his garden, and making beef jerky and sourdough bread for his friends. Dick rarely missed his morning and afternoon coffee with friends. He also enjoyed spending time on the computer, sending out his weekly “bull letter” to family and friends. Even after retirement, Dick loved his photography and continued taking pictures every chance he had.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paula; son Russell Pond and his wife Angela of Euless, Texas; son Randy Pond and Teal Warren of Austin, Texas; his brother Donald Pond and his wife Betty of Centennial, Colorado; grandchildren Caleb Jeremiah Pond, Wyatt Cooper Pond and Hope Ivy Warren; niece Kathy and husband Matt Wagoner; great-nieces Anna and Evie Wagoner and cousins Ruby Mae Woods, Cody Elliott and son Cole, and Sharon Jones.

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