Message to Heaven: Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
I was in Target a few weeks ago, shopping for my list of things to buy for the week. Nothing unusual, just typical things like Neutrogena makeup remover wipes, Milkbone Dog Biscuits, and a birthday card for a friend. Well, geez, the card section was a gut-punching experience that I really didn’t see coming.
You see, I paid no attention to the time of year and so I did not expect to see rows upon rows of Father’s Day cards as I approached.
My new charm bracelet in memory of Dad and his ALS.
As my eyes glazed across the various Father’s Day cards, some funny, some serious, and some that say as little as possible for those not-so-good-dads…..I did not realize that I had stopped in my tracks until I felt tears in welling my eyes. It was an automatic response and once I was aware I worked to stop it because Target is not on my list of places for spontaneous tears!
Every year, I invested time in picking out the card that I knew, just knew, would appeal to my Dad’s sense of humor and/or reflect realistically the kind of Dad he was. On his end, he looked forward to seeing “just what card Jen found this year.” You know, it was our thing.
This is the first Father’s Day without my Dad. All those cards, and no one to pick one out for, no where I could mail one. Yeah, didn’t see that reality coming on a random day in Target.
To those who have still have your fathers on earth, I hope you picked out a card that best fits your dad. It may seem like an obligatory thing to do, but I think they really do read them. I know my Dad did.
Happy Father’s Day to all the men who either are Dads or act like one. I know my Dad is with his Father so he’s totally loving Father’s Day this year. That’s definitely better than any card I could find.
—————————————————————————————————————-
P.S. In case you missed it last year, here’s the post my brother and I did for Dad’s last Father’s Day with us.
Jen, I miss your dad, he was a great man and I still reap from his wisdom on grace and mercy. Having lost my father 15 years ago I still well up every time I see a bottle of “Old Spice” it was a Father’s Day treat for many years . . . God Bless you and your family say hello to your mom for me. ~ Deborah Ann
Thank you, Deborah Ann! We love that poem you wrote for him, it was featured at his funeral in the memorial folder. I miss him greatly, and you are right – it’s the little things that bring back memories, but I’m sure we’re both glad to have those memories.
I’m so sorry your dad isn’t here. But I am so glad that, unlike so many today, you had a dad who loved you and raised you to love your heavenly Father. God bless and comfort you.
Thank you! I know you are on a similar journey with ALS, and I will be praying for you.
Speaking as a Dad, I still have every card my wife and children and grandchildren have ever given me – over 44 years. Yes, dads love the cards they get.