In my 40th year I lost my father to cancer. This Father’s Day was my first without my dad. No card to buy, no phone call to make, no plans to talk about.
I thought about what we would have done if he was still here. Probably go to Joey’s Only for some fish or Lone Star for steak. My dad loved to eat. One of his favorite things to do was gather up his whole family and share a meal together, preferably one served by a waitress or pieced together at a buffet.
In the last few years of his life he made it a point to have a family meal once a week. It was usually a Tuesday, it was always dinner and he would always pay. He was always a generous man, with his time and his money. The meal wouldn’t last very long, because Dad was a fast eater -- he didn’t mess around. Sometimes we would talk about just the latest in life, or perhaps our plans for an upcoming vacation, and sometimes we wouldn’t say much at all. For my dad, it really wasn’t about the meal or the conversation, it was just about being together.
I loved that about him. His genuine desire just to be around his family. There is no doubt in my mind that, next to Jesus, we were the most important to him out of all people and all things. He made that clear -- not necessarily through his words, but always through his actions.
He loved family trips, and was always talking about where we could all go next.
He loved to watch reruns of MASH, listen to old Marty Robbins tunes, write short stories and tinker on his computer.
He knew how to build houses, fly big jets, and make people laugh.
He traveled around the world multiple times, but his favorite place was wherever his family was.
His favorite movie was Shane. That never changed.
He was always buying the latest gadget and giving the old ones to us.
He believed Jesus gave him the gift of giving. And a giver he was.
He never drank, never swore, and was a man of his word.
He was a great storyteller. And, boy, did he have some great stories.
He always loved a new adventure.
He was always making new friends and keeping in touch with old ones.
He loved much and was loved by many.
I miss you Dad.
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what a beautiful guy your dad was! thank you SO MUCH for sharing all that. i got all teary seeing you and him on your wedding day. i'm so thankful for such a powerful example of Christ in your life. and thankful for that same Example that shines through you.
ReplyDeletein the pic's - i can see in his eyes - how very much he adored you and was proud to have you as his little girl.
lovely.
absolutely lovely.