Nearly half a century ago, I met an incredible man for the first time.  Actually, he was hardly more than a boy at 22 years old. A beautiful boy whose life would suddenly be changed forever because of my entry into his world.  In an instant the college graduate  became a father whose new role would offer more learning and gained wisdom than the institution he had just left.

My daddy.

And what would this boy-turned-man offer to this new dependent little life, this child who carried not only his DNA but parts of his very heart and soul?

That list would be limitless.

How would I begin to describe the memories and lessons that came from this great man?

I could tell you of the times that he would take me and my brothers to the field behind our house, the one with the long grass, and spin us around ’til we were so dizzy we couldn’t stand.  And when I’d regain my balance my first words would be, “Do it again!”

I could tell you that, but it wouldn’t truly capture the essence of the joy that I felt when I was flying through the air, free but safe in the strong hands of my daddy.

I could tell you of the times when I’d pretend to fall asleep in the car on the way home from grandpa and grandma’s house late at night so that dad would have to carry me into the house and tuck me into bed.  I would fight to keep my eyelids from fluttering that would surely give away the fact that I was faking.  As if he didn’t know.

I could tell you that, but it still wouldn’t envelope the dreamlike peace that I felt when I was in the safe and able arms of the man who loved me more than his own life.  The floating sensation of pure trust.

I could also tell you about the times when we would all be watching our black and white t.v. in the living room and I would curl up next to him and lay my head on his chest and fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat in my ear.

I could tell you that but it wouldn’t convey the deep contented sigh of my soul that came with every thu-thump, thu-thump, thu-thump radiating from his strong chest.

Everything I learned from my dad, every spiritual truth, every moral principle and every piece of wisdom stuck in my heart and stayed there because of the soft, safe landing of those foundations of love laid out for me.  The fertile ground of his unconditional love allowed the seeds of learning to be planted and to grow.  Because of his love, I trusted his heart and everything that it shared with me.

It all started with a tear in his eye at a hospital in St. Charles, Illinois in 1963.

It continues today with a tear in my eye in Pleasanton, California in 2013.

Thank you, dad, for the spinning, the carrying, the holding my head against your chest.  Those memories are the foundation of why I know how much Jesus loves me.

I’ll never be able to say thank you enough, but today I will try…

I love you to the moon and back, dad!!!!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

J