I can very much identify with this card. I’m pretty sure a lot of what my father’s told me over the years has not completely registered. There are a few phrases that have stuck, of course! Phrases such as:
“You can do what you want. You know what your mother and I would prefer you do, but you do what you want.”And...
“I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but what if you…”There are many others, but that’s not my point here. For me, the impact of my father’s words do have power, but the impact of his actions have much more power in my life.
I’ll never forget the hours my dad (usually with me in tow) would spend helping others. Whether it was a home repair need, a computer problem or simply a difficult math problem (he was a math teacher), my dad would do what he could to help others. I also remember many Saturdays at the church building taking care of repair needs there or balancing the church books (he was the finance deacon).
It was those times together that reinforced what I knew my parents believed- “It’s not about us and our needs, it’s about others and their needs.” I guess one of the greatest things that I learned from my father was a heart of service. And for that, I will always be thankful!
-Scott S.
How about you? How has your father, or a special father figure, impacted your life? Share a story or two by clicking on the comments link below.
2 comments:
When I think about my dad certain times and images jump out of my memories. This year as I reflect on Father's Day and all my father has done for me two images push past all of the others.
The first is when I was in 7th grade. During spring break I developed rheumatic fever which manifested itself through arthritis in my legs. Simply for two weeks I could not walk. I could not even take a step. So my dad carried me. Even as a 7th grader my dad carried me from doctor's appointment to doctor's appointment. Never once complaining.
The second image comes from my 10th grade year. It is late Friday night and my dad is sitting outside of our house in our lawn glider. He is waiting for me to come home from the highschool football game so we can go get a shake or a coke and spend some time together. This had become our Friday night habit. However this night it was not to be. I was starting to develop some friends and some of my friends had their driver's license. So I remember racing home to change out of my band uniform and running into my dad in the front yard. When I realized he was waiting on me I had to tell him that I had already made plans with my friends and they were coming by to pick me up. My dad smiled and told me to have a good time. My sophomore mind could not comprehend it at the time but that evening marked a change in our relationship. It was a change toward independence that I was eager to make but one that I now realize had to be painful for my dad. Our Friday night tradition ended that night.
So this Father's day I salute my dad for being the image of the father who carried me when I needed it most. And the image of a dad who forever waits on the front porch to spend time with his child. Wonder where he got his ideas? Thanks Dad!
Love Ya
Scott
During my senior year I worked as a cashier at Winn Dixie. There was a very handsome young man that worked in the produce section. Although nice in apperance he was not as nice in personality. Still I thought he would be the perfect guy to take to a senior banquet.
I asked and he accepted the invitation. On the afternoon of the banquet I came home from running errands with my mom to find a message on the machine from my date stating that his Grandmother wanted him to come over for dinner and he had to cancel his plans with me (I later learned he had gone to a pool hall with some friends).
I was heartbroken and dateless. My father called about that time and so my mom told him the situation.
My dad rushed home from work, put on a suit and knocked on my bedroom door asking if he could be my escort for the evening. I left the house with my Dad as my date.
I have two memories from that night. The first is eating the worst food I have ever had and the second is looking up at the dance floor and seeing my father in full burst of the YMCA!
So thanks Dad for being my knight in shining armor, even though I am sure that a knight never danced the YMCA.
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