Tommie Lou Rogers was born March 29, 1934, in the small picturesque town of Mt. Hope, West Virginia. Her father, Tom Rogers, was a sweet, kind man and an accountant for the local coal company.

His office was on Tommie's way home, so she would stop by to visit everyday after school. Tom would always give Tommie a nickel so she could buy a milk shake to drink with her girlfriends.

Then Tommie, with books in hand, would walk through the scenic town, up the hill to her home where her mother Gene, prepared a full family meal, much of it grown from their own garden.

It was as perfect a childhood as anyone could have ever wanted.

After high school she left her small town paradise and attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va., and then graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown.

She eventually took a job in Pittsburgh working for the then very young Dick Thornburgh. The same Thornburgh who would go on to become governor of Pennsylvania and attorney general under George Bush Sr.

Up to this point, Tommie's life had been pretty sweet. Better days were to come.

At a party in Pittsburgh she met a handsome young man by the name of Dan Fagan. She was quickly attracted to him, not just for his good looks, but because he made her laugh.

The book of Proverbs says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine."

Tommie would soon learn her new husband was not just funny for funny's sake, he had a gift from God. His gift was to give a merry heart to those around him.

For the next fifty years Tommie's life was filled with laughter.

Not only did Dan Fagan turn out to be fun to be around, he also proved himself as a kind, caring, and thoughtful husband who put her needs first. Dan Fagan also turned out to be a great father.

Tommie's life just grew better with age as her and Dan's relationship became stronger and more intimate through the years. They had become so comfortable around each other and enjoyed each other's company so much. How couldn't you enjoy being with someone who is kind, generous and constantly makes you laugh?

Times were not always perfect. Dan and Tommie lost their home when Hurricane Katrina hit. But their life remained rich and full of laughter because they had each other. No matter what they went through, they always had each other.

But then something happened last week that made Katrina look like a picnic. Tommie learned the man who was her life for the past 50 years hads terminal cancer. The doctors gave him only weeks to live.

Death is a part of life and everyone goes through the pain of losing someone. One of the downsides of spending your life as a great husband and father is when it's time for you to go, the pain is that much more intense for those you leave behind. The pain my mother and all of us are feeling right now is indescribable.

But my dad, true to form, is focused on the needs of others. Even facing death, he is trying to comfort those around him.

He told me, Danny, I am 77, I have lived a good life. I met with my priest and I am ready.

My dad is ready to join his heavenly Father who loves him as much as he loved his own family.

But it is tough for the rest of us who will miss him so much. Not being able to pick up the phone and hear his sweet voice will leave a deep void in my heart.

And for my mother, the thought of not spending time with the man who has given her a lifetime of laughter must seem to difficult to bear. But my mother is a strong woman and will cope. We all will.

My family can hold our heads high and find strength in the fact that we are all a living testament to a great man. A man who spent his life doing God's work. Providing a merry heart that does good, like a medicine.