More prayers please.

It is with a heavy heart I write this post. My dear friend Angie's father lost his battle with lung cancer on Friday. I had the honor and pleasure of photographing him with his grandchildren a few years back (minus a few new additions), and I will post those in the morning. I'm having a hard time writing this post, so here is his obituary sent from Angie. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Richard Neil Jackson, "Rick", 60, died at his home surrounded by family in
Athens, AL on Friday, May 18, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He retired after a 35-year career in the nuclear industry and was a
decorated veteran of the U.S. Army during Vietnam. During his life, he was
a resident of Taylorville and Erie, IL, Zachary, LA, Russellville, AR, and
Athens, AL. He enjoyed time with family, fishing, gardening, and Nascar.
He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Dixie Jackson; brother,
Bill Jackson of Columbia, MO; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Beth
Jackson of Henderson, NV; daughter and son-in-law, Keri and Chad Parker of
Zachary, LA; daughter and son-in-law Angie and Ryan Dick of Slidell, LA;
stepson and girlfriend, Jason Miller and Mandy Goldman of Houston, TX; and
a special niece, Teresa Wright of Taylorville, IL. He was known as "Pops"
to his 8 grandchildren, Féde Smith, Bradley and Ella Jackson, Austin and
Nicholas Parker, Delaney, Madelyn, and Sophia Dick. He was preceded in
death by his loving wife of 25 years, Jeannie Teter Jackson; father, Cecil
Jackson; mother, Hazel Helfer; brother, Dale Jackson; and sister, Kay
Jackson. A visitation honoring his life will be held at Charlet Funeral
Home in Zachary, LA on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 12:00 pm until memorial
service at 2:00 pm officiated by Ron Thompson. Graveside
services and military rites will immediately follow at Azalea Rest
Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Jackson, Carroll Law, Rick Jackson,
Chad Parker, Ryan Dick, and Jason Miller. In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations may be made in his name to American Cancer Society and the
Hospice of Limestone County in Athens, AL. He loved life, friends and
family, and will be sadly missed by those who knew him.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."