Happy Fathers Day to my Dad

Do you ever think that fathers are a bit overlooked on holidays?  Fathers Day doesn’t seem to be as big of a celebration as Mothers Day always is.  My husband told me earlier this week that he didn’t need nor want anything and for me not to buy him a gift for today.  Even some fathers don’t feel the need to celebrate Fathers Day.

That actually was me for years.  I was angry, bitter, and hurt.  When I was just twelve years old my Daddy died.  Not only did he did, but he died at home in front of me.  I did not want to go to church on Father’s Day after that.  Thankfully, I have gotten through that horrible experience but not without scars.

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A decade or so after Daddy died a blessing was given to our family.  I call him, Dad.  For forty years this remarkable, selfless man has been the leader of our family.  He is a devoted, loving husband to Mom and the best Dad that my sister and I could ever hope to have.  On top of that, he is a grandfather that is beyond compare, just ask anyone that calls him Pappaw.

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Dad is loving and caring, a good example for all fathers.  His faith and Jesus are essential in his life.  Whenever I need prayer or have a question about scripture, Dad is the first one I seek.  He is also generous.  I have watched him anonymously pay for a young family’s meal and ask the waitress to add ice cream for dessert.

Today, I miss him immensely.  We can’t celebrate Father’s Day together because he is in Rehab working to recover and come home.  I have sent flowers and am saving his presents to give him when I can see him in person.  Covid19 restrictions at the Rehab facility only allow one person each day to see Dad for an hour or so.  One person.

Until he is released I will draw on the many happy memories I have.  We have had so many good times, and there will be more to come.  Dad is a giant among ordinary men.  He will work hard to get back home where he belongs with his booming voice, quick laugh, and twinkling eyes.

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Happy Father’s Day, Dad!  You are missed at home and loved beyond what words can express.  I hope you are working hard now, because when you come home we plan on spoiling you.

No one can ever take the place of my Daddy.  Dad made his own place.  He has been a strong, loving, guiding parent to me for forty years.  Did I mention that he is selfless, too?  I owe him so much.  I love my Dad and miss him today.

My Heavenly Father gave me a couple of great men for earthly fathers.  I am fortunate to come from a Christian family.  This scripture and my fathers go perfectly together.  Abba took a bad time in my life and in the end He used it for good. Our family is so much better because of Dad.  My Dad.

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Readers, I hope you are spending today celebrating with your fathers.  As cliche as it sounds, do not take your father for granted for one minute.  Take it from someone who lost her Daddy when she was young and is now not able to see her Dad because of new visitation regulations.  I would love to be able to kiss Dad’s sweet cheek and tell him how much I love and appreciate him today.  Hopefully he knows that already.

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Celebrate Dad today!

Troday is Father’s Day.  A day to celebrate fathers and all they do.  We should do this everyday!  Dads give everyday to us.  At least mine does.IMG_3806  I treasure and adore him.

I am one lucky girl to have the amazing dad that I do.  He is compassionate, intelligent, loving, faithful, generous, respected, and so much more than words could ever describe.  A giant in faith he is a true son of God.  Best of all, he came into our lives about a decade after my daddy was called home to be with the Lord.  Dad voluntarily stepped into the role of “Dad” for me and my sister whole-heartedly.  

God, our Heavenly Father, is so good and knows what we need, when we need it.  He put Dad in our lives to help heal that broken spot that was ripped open when Daddy died.  Dad has been a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and grandfather.  God used a bad situation for good.  I am forever grateful.  

IMG_2286Sure there are times I still miss my Daddy.  All girls need their daddies.  I was just twelve years old.
I also miss both of my grandfathers, too.  My paternal grandfather, Granddaddy, and I were particularly close. I was the first born on that side, and yes, spoiled rotten.  Today isn’t about tears and missing them.  It is about the good memories of the time we had together.  The promise of seeing them again in Heaven.  It is a time to be thankful.
So, I am.  Thankful for all of the men in my family.  For the grandfathers, fathers, my hubby, uncles, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, nephews, and cousins.  You are appreciated and loved even though you may not hear the words.
Happy Father’s Day especially to you, Dad!  I love you and am grateful you are in my life.  To the other patriarch in our family, Uncle Gale, ditto to you!  To my husband, son, and son-in-law, thank you for taking care of me and our family.  I am blessed to have Christian men leading my family.
 Father’s Day should be a day to rejoice, appreciate, be glad, and love.  Enjoy your day!  Don’t forget to spend time with our Heavenly Father, too.   Tell Him how much you appreciate Him.   After all, He is the perfect Father.

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Happy Father’s Day

Today is Father’s Day.  The history of its origin is rather vague.  In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recommended that Father’s Day become a national holiday, but nothing was done.  Years later in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as the official day to celebrate Father’s Day. However, it wasn’t until 1972, during the Nixon administration, that Father’s Day was officially recognized as a national holiday.  IMG_3806

     Two different women claim credit for this holiday.  One in Washington state, Sonora Smart Dodd.  She had the idea of honoring and celebrating her father while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at church in 1909.   Mothers seemed to be getting all the acclaim while fathers were equally deserving of a day of gratitude.  Her father was a Civil War veteran that raised six children alone after his wife died in childbirth.
     The other lady, Grace Golden Clayton suggested on July 5, 1908, to the minister of the local Methodist church that they hold services to celebrate fathers after a deadly mine explosion killed 361 men.  She proposed Father’s should be given a day of praise like mothers.
     Father’s Day is a bittersweet holiday for me.  I am one lucky girl to have the amazing dad that I do.  He is compassionate, intelligent, loving, faithful, generous, respected, and so much more than words could ever describe.  A giant in faith he is a true son of God.  Best of all, he came into our lives about a decade after my daddy was called home to be with the Lord.  God, our Heavenly Father, is so good and knows what we need, when we need it.  He put Dad in our lives to help heal that broken spot that was ripped open when Daddy died.  Dad has been a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and grandfather.  God used a bad situation for good.  I am forever grateful.
IMG_2286     Sure there are times I still miss my Daddy.  All girls need their daddies.  I also miss both of my grandfathers, too.  My paternal grandfather, Granddaddy, and I were particularly close. I was the first born on that side, and yes, spoiled rotten.  Today isn’t about tears and missing them.  It is about the good memories of the time we had together.  The promise of seeing them again in Heaven.  It is a time to be thankful.
     So, I am.  Thankful for all of the men in my family.  For the grandfathers, fathers, hubby, uncles, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, nephews, and cousins.  You are appreciated and loved even though you may not hear the words.  Happy Father’s Day especially to Dad!  I love you and am grateful you are in my life.  To the other patriarch in our family, Uncle Gale, ditto to you!  To my husband, son, and son-in-law, thank you for taking care of me and our family.
     Father’s Day should be a day to rejoice, appreciate, be glad, and love.  Enjoy your day!  Don’t forget to spend time with our Heavenly Father, too.   Tell a Him how much you appreciate Him.

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