#1 Dad

Father's Day is always a little bit different since my dad passed away.  He died 19 years ago but I still miss him (especially on holidays such as Father's Day.)  He passed away in October and at the time I felt that I was coping with the loss fairly well.  His death was expected and followed a three battle with cancer.  I knew I had to be strong as my mother would need comfort and encouragement.  But as Father's Day rolled around that next year I realized I was beginning to feel a bit ill.  After eight months his loss was all beginning to "sink in."  Father's Day, that year, marked the beginning of about 5 months of depression for me.  It wasn't until I approached the anniversary of his death that I felt the depression beginning to lift.  That whole experience was a new lesson for me in the process of grief.

While Father's Day, for me, will always be a time to remember days gone by; today it is a time for me to celebrate the present and God's gift to me of being a father and a grandfather.  Both my children and grandchildren are wonderful and I am constantly reminded how blessed I truly am.  Sunday (Father's Day) I received an "e-card" from my daughter Beth.  I don't know how she does it but somehow she made herself into a cartoon (pictured above).  I told her I couldn't tell if the email was from her or from Lucille Ball.  She said, "Thanks dad!."  But I knew it was her.  One of my gifts was a Father's Day cartoon and mug reminding me of both the opportunity and responsibility of being a #1 Dad.  That's what my dad was for me, and now I have the tremendous pleasure of continuing with that tradition!  What an important role father's play in God's family plan!