Hello My Friends,
This Sunday, June 21st, we celebrate yet another Father's Day. A day when we spend time with our Fathers who are still with us here on Earth and a day spent in fond memories of those Fathers who have already crossed over and who are now with our Father in Heaven. Although it's been more than 20 years since my Dad went home to join my Mother in Heaven, the memories of his Smiling face, his reassuring words of Advice and Comfort, and most of all, his love of living life to the fullest, are still as fresh in my mind as they were when he first Crossed Over.
There's are little Poem by Erma Bombeck that always makes me smile when I think of my Dad, and I'd like to share it with you today.
When God Created Fathers
When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame.
A female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."
...And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who would children have to look up to?"
And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy.
The angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do you know what you're doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on ponytails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."
And God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from pockets at the end of a day, yet small enough to cup a child's face."
And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right." she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him with the kid falling between his legs?"
And God smiled and said, " A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."
God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"
And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross or scare off mice at the summer cabin or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."
God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words but a firm, authoritative voice and eyes that saw everything but remained calm and tolerant.
Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?"
The angel shutteth up.
Author: Erma Bombeck
As I've mentioned to several of you before, on the day that my Father was laid to rest out at Guilford Memorial Cemetary, as I was leaving the driveway to return home, the following song came over the radio station to which I was listening. It has had a Special Meaning to me ever since, and I often play it on Father's Day and Dad's Birthday. I hope you enjoy it as well.
Daddy's Hands
by Holly Dunn
Wishing You All A Happy Father's Day,
Phil