by Joanne Wiklund
Father’s Day. A time when an adult may feel validated or a child feel clueless. Some memories of fathers are so difficult; others so precious, depending on one’s childhood. I was blessed with a father who loved hard, but because of a debilitating, progressive disease was challenged every day of his life. He wasn’t perfect, but he improved with age as his body deteriorated.
But oh, the things he did. Fall, forever. He never knew when, he just knew it would come unexpectedly. If I learned anything from him, it was perseverance and compassion. He had both. He was funny. He loved to laugh. People who live with disabilities may learn early to laugh at their own antics or they will be crying all the time. Dad was not a cry baby. As he aged, he mellowed. He just wanted to tell stories and listen to others’ stories.
We who have sons celebrate the day with them. We feel so blessed if we have grandchildren also. Grandsons who may someday be fathers themselves. With four grandsons, and scores of nephews and all those great and even great great nephews, I so appreciate them all for including me in their families. My son and his family fill my life with love and happiness along with the others. May we all remember the Father of all Fathers who brought this about. May we listen to Him and let Him direct our daily paths.
Matthew: “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 6:8 “Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knowest what things ye have need up before ye ask him.”
Matthew 19:14 : “And Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”