Thanks Dad

My dad is something special. He is getting old now, having problems with his back and heart. He's approaching 80, starting to wind down. But he still has that twinkle in his eyes. The twinkle of a boy who was a basketball and baseball star in high school, while the Korean War was starting. The twinkle of a man who gave his all for his growing family, working long hours but always being there for his children and their activities. The twinkle of a man who walked with the Lord, mentoring and leading others to the Lord. The twinkle of a grandpa whose pride was his children and their children.

He showed me so much. He gave me his love of sports, and his love of land and animals. The hours that I spent in the barn or on horseback or in the garden or at ballfield with him. I never ran a track meet or played a football game in high school without knowing he was there.

He wasn't perfect. But he showed me how to love your wife. And I learned how to be a father. He did have the luxury of learning from his father, who he lost at 14. He thought more with his actions and spirit than with words. He taught me to be a man.

He gave me roots to be grounded, and wings to fly.

And being the father he was and is, he showed me an earthly glimpse of what the Father's love is like.

Thank you Dad.