I was at home getting ready for work today when I heard from my son that my dad, who has been at his home on hospice care this past month, took a turn for the worse this morning.

I went to my mom's house and he looked like he was in pretty bad shape.

After spending some time with him reading in the gospel of John, singing, and praying with him, at 11:15 am, my father at the age of 83 passed away.

I was at his bedside with the rest of the family when he took his last breath.

My father married my widowed mom when I was 4 years old. He was the best dad I could have.

He showed my brothers and me a lot of love and discipline, sent us to private schools from K-12, and gave us countless memories camping and fishing just about every weekend when I was a kid growing up.

He spent so much time with us and for that I am extremely grateful.

It took a lot of courage for him to marry my widowed mom with three young kids and love us like his own flesh and blood.

Moments like this morning are defining, memorable, and cause you to really think about what matters most in life.

It made me think about how valuable relationships are in life, and the importance of expressing love and appreciation for those who are closest to you.

Sometimes we get so caught up and busy with work, projects, hobbies, etc. that we lose sight of the most important matters in life, namely relationships.

Outside of my family, being in a relationship with patients whom I have had the privilege to serve over the past 24 years in Torrance is something that means so much to me.

Even as I write this, different faces of patients come to mind who have touched my heart and have brought me great joy to be able to serve through the practice of chiropractic and natural medicine.

I appreciate you so much and recognize that without you, Taylor Chiropractic & Laser Center would not be in existence.

May God be with you as you love and enjoy your family relationships.

Take the time today to express to those closest to you how much they mean to you as this life on earth is short.

God bless you,

Dr. Derek 'son of Clifford Edward Lane' Taylor