Dear Dad,
Words cannot express how much I miss you!! I cannot believe this is the 2nd birthday you are spending in heaven. In so many ways it seems like you were here yesterday. But 18 long months have gone by since you went HOME. So much has changed in those 18 months that at times it hardly seems real. Your youngest finished his Air Force training, found out he was going to be a Dad and moved across the world to Japan. Your oldest son was blessed with a wonderful job promotion and moved his family down to Texas (as hard as that was for an OSU fan) and is doing very well. Our family has moved as well! In April, the Hubster accepted a Senior Ministry position in Bedford, Indiana. Everything has changed.
It is true, that you truly don’t know what you’re missing until it’s gone. We always had our ups and downs, just as any parent/child relationship. But, you were there for me when I needed you most. And that’s what mattered to me. I am still so torn between my life here on earth and my HOME that awaits me in Heaven. As I go through the days with my own children, I am constantly reminded of you. Your sense of humor, your laugh, your smile, your silly voices…your presence.
Here are just a few things I wish I could tell you.
1. Mister Bull is so smart. He still loves watching “How It’s Made” and anything on the History Channel. You would be proud! He loves building with his legos and figuring out how things work. He is a whiz at math (he does it in his head) and loves silly movies like, Earnest Scared Stupid. He loves music and drums to the beat of every. single. song. (I wonder where he gets that from?!) He is growing up so much these days that it’s hard to keep up with him sometimes!
2. Mister Mouse is just plain onery!! I blame YOU! He is sneaky and quick, like the stories I’ve heard about you from childhood. He is a jokester and loves to antagonize his sisters (much like you did when you rolled the doll heads down the dark hallway toward your sisters room, which then scarred her for life!). But he also has the sweetest heart and can be so generous…just like you.
3. Miss Priss…well, she’s a Diva with a capital D. There’s no better word for her. She is an independent thinker (aka space-cadet) who loves playing house and doing kool (school) work. She is the spitting image of me in more ways than one (payback…I know). She wears her heart on her sleeve and loves unconditionally. She is prissy and full of wonder. Her smile will melt your heart in seconds.
4. And then there’s Punkin’. She is our fiesty, non-red-headed red-head that full of life and joy. She is rarely in a bad mood and loves to laugh. She is quite the chatterbox and is in the stage of repeating everything she hears. She loves to play with her brothers and sister, but is not afraid to come “tattle” when necessary!! The tattling…oh the tattling. It takes all I have not to crack a smile when she comes crying and blubbering to me telling me that “{Mister Mouse} hit me! No. No. Id hoot.” I, of course, don’t laugh but console her and we take care of it. But it makes me smile, because I know you just loved hearing your grandkids learning to talk. (It is cute though, right?!)
The other night the Hubster and I were watching a show that advertised Tim Conway in an upcoming episode. It immediately reminded me of one of your all-time favorite scenes from the Carol Burnett Show. You know…the one with the Siamese Elephants?! Can you believe the Hubster had never seen that? Of course I showed it to him!! He was in tears!!!
I could still hear your belly laugh as you watched that with us years ago. I know someday I might no longer be able to hear that, but for now…I can. And I’m going to “listen” to that laugh every chance I get. It reminds me of you and the promise of life everlasting. I will see you again!!!
If this past 18 months has taught me anything…it’s that I long for HOME so much more than I ever have. I have been brought to my knees in tears from the heartache and pain of never seeing you here on this earth again. But I have the HOPE that brings eternal Life!!! I have grown and been stretched in my walk with the Lord. My marriage has grown stronger and my relationship with my children has blossomed into more than I ever imagined. While I would rather have you here to enjoy these moments with me, but I know you wouldn’t come back even if you could. And I don’t blame you!!!
So, today I just want to wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Heaven Daddy!!!
I love you!!!
The post A birthday letter to my Dad appeared first on In All You Do.