Father's Day

I was in our bedroom today listening to Lonny teaching Connor about the finer points of brushing one's teeth. I was immediately struck by the importance of fathers in our lives - not only to teach us about the big things, like strength, integrity and honor, but the little things too. How to ride a bike, to flip the perfect pancake - and how to mow the lawn. Anyone can teach us these things, really, but there is just something about a father's patience and love.

Father's Day is bittersweet for me. I weep a little (sometimes a lot) because I miss my dad. It will be 5 years in September since he passed away, and yes, I still miss him so very much. My heart will always be a little bit broken because neither of my parents are here to play with my little boy and get to know him, at least in this life. That is a sadess that is beyond description. But I rejoice in the knowledge that they have met - I swear sometimes my father had to have given Connor tips on how to push my buttons before he came here! And I am comforted knowing that we will all be together again someday. That Connor will be sitting on my mother's lap while my Dad tells him his secret gravy recipe or what it was like growing up in the shadow of the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. That is what gets me through times like these.





That and when I see my husband and our son together. Lonny is such an awesome father, and Connor loves him so much. They have a wonderful relationship and I know that they don't know how they ever lived without each other. When Lonny comes through the door at the end of the day, they both light up. They have so many adventures ahead of them, so much to teach each other. I am blessed to be a witness to the love between these two. And I am blessed because they both love me.

It is not just about dads. It is about every man in your life that has blessed you and made a difference. Whether it is a brother, uncle, grandfather, a father yet to be (yes I am talking about you Chadworth Von Leichtenstein), friend, bandmate, teacher, scout leader -if they have made you a better person for having known them, they have fathered. Please remember to tell them that you appreciate everything they have meant to you, every big and little thing they have taught you and most of all, tell them that you love them. Happy Father's Day Lonny and to all the wonderful fathers in my life.