“Holy Father, You are my fortress, that mighty rock where I
am safe." ~ Psalm 94:22
The word “hero” usually conjures
up images of super humans with magical powers, sweeping in and saving humanity
from villains and natural disasters. But
when I hear that word, I see my Dad.
It’s a bit contradictory - heroes are subtle, quiet,
courageous types; but their actions often change lives in profound ways. Heroes put their best selves forward, using
compassion, kindness, empathy, and non-violence to serve others. My Dad has always been my hero!
As a child, we often found solace walking in the woods,
where nature stole the stress of daily lives and wrapped its gentle affection
around our souls. Anxieties quickly
faded into the distance replaced by chirping songbirds, hammering wood-peckers,
and winds whispering through the wild flowers.
Amidst the sweet aroma of damp grass and pine needles, we got lost in
each other’s company - just me and my Dad . . . and heaven on earth.
It was always an adventure! I always felt safe; I knew Dad was there if I
faced any real danger.
I peppered him with questions about everything: why birds
flew instead of ran, why trees grew so tall and lived longer than us, why fish
couldn’t talk, and why some animals died when others lived. I was already thinking life’s deepest
questions in a kid’s innocent ways.
He took all those questions with noble patience explaining
that each animal had a role in the world and they just knew exactly what to
do.
Dad’s gone now, a life ironically cut short by a bad
heart. He was a loving husband to my mom
for 38 years, and provided a good living for our family as a construction
worker. I miss him every day.
Last week when I was searching through some of Dad’s things,
I found a crisply folded note among some papers. It was an old journal entry in my dad’s
handwriting dated just weeks before I was born.
It read:
“I’m 18 years old, an unemployed, alcoholic who is failing out of
college; a victim of child abuse with a criminal record of auto theft. Next month, ‘teen father’ will be added to the
list. But, I swear I’ll make things
right for my child. I will be the Dad I
never had.”
I don’t know how he did it . . . but he did! Now, as a grown man, I see all that my father
taught me. I wouldn’t be the man (the friend,
husband and father) I am today had it not been for him. This morning my son
asked me what we could do together today.
I replied, “I know a forest that’s filled with adventure and seems to go
on forever.”
Heavenly Father, bless our Dads. Though they are brave and protective, they
must also be frightened sometimes. When
their hearts break because they can't do it all; please let them know how much
we love them. Amen
