My Dad

Uncle Don, Uncle William, and Dad, l. to r.

My sister Leslie emailed me today to remind me that our father would've been 88 years old today. I'm so glad she did that because about this time every March I scratch my head and ask, "Now what day was it that Dad was born?" I know, I'm a terrible daughter. 

I say "would've" because my father went home to be with the Lord in May of 1996. I can't tell you the exact day. But I can certainly tell you what I was doing~preparing for my oldest son Micah's high school graduation baccalaureate. Only by God's grace were he and Tracy able to speak that Thursday evening.

This blog is not about my poor memory of dates or Dad's death. But something my sister asked has opened the floodgates of memories, and that's what this is about. She asked if I had ever wondered what I would say to Dad when I saw him again. (And I will!) Without intending to give her my list I began to write and in two minutes I'd come up with a good start. And that's what I want to share here. When I see my father on that great day of reunion, I will tell him~

                   *I loved how you would call and say, "Hey, babe!"

                   *I forgive you for paddling me with a hairbrush in front of 

                     the entire family when I was 14 years old~I don't remember

                     what the spanking was for, but at the time it seemed unjust.

                   *I loved your sense of humor, Dad. It has served me abundantly

                     well my entire life.

                   *Thank you for letting Karl and I ride up the hill on the hood of 

                     that old green Chevy when you got home from work. 

                   *I wish you could've known your great grandchildren; they are 

                     amazing and they would love you, and you them.

                   *I'm sorry you came down with manic depression (now bipolar)

                     at a time when people had little understanding of it outside of 

                     One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

                   *Remember the time you asked for more life in your lunch and I

                     put a box of Life cereal in it?

                   *I'm sorry for not being more patient with you, or honoring, or 

                     loving.

                   *Thank you for your joy of life.

                   *Thank you for being true to Mom.

                   *I have always loved your creativity~remember the Valentine's 

                     Day hat you made me in second grade?

                   *You were a good man.

                   *Thank you for loving our children.

                   *Thank you for being so tenderhearted.

                   *I'm sorry you died alone.

                   *I'm so thankful you became Christ's before you died.

And, the list could go on~