thoughts on the news of the day: father's day

hmmm…..

            A friend of mine called late last night to say he and his wife wouldn’t be in church today.  They are leaving to go to Florida.  He said, “My daughter is dying. She is an alcoholic and the disease has finally gotten the best of her.”  Not a very good way to celebrate Father’s Day.  That has to be tough – raising a daughter, loving her, wanting the best for her, then losing her to a treatable disease. 

            My daughter posted a sweet note on facebook last night, it read:  “Thanks for … rebounding for me until dark, catching my fastballs, teaching me how to deal with car repairs, power tools and hammers, showing up on father daughter day, standing alone on parent’s night, instilling in me that I can do anything and telling me I’m beautiful. Happy Father’s Day Momma!  Couldn’t have done it without you!” 

            Father’s Day was always bittersweet for my daughter and me because her Dad was really not present much in her life.  It was a hard day until my daughter realized that she had both father and mother in me.   I was not a single parent; I was a dual duty parent.  We started celebrating Father’s Day together – she even made me Father’s Day cards when she was little.    

            For many folks Father’s Day is difficult.  Memories are not always so sweet.  It can be painful if you are a father who is missing a child and it can be heartbreaking if you are missing your father.  Fortunately we are all blessed with a heavenly Father who loves us and will never leave us.  And that is something to celebrate!

            hmmm…..