Who doesn't love a great story of triumph? I love hearing about people that faced some sort of adversity and found their way out and went on to either be an advocate against it or live as opposite a life as possible. Sadly you mostly only hear those stories in the movies. Most of those in reality are that people go on to perpetuate that "thing" in their life. "Oh did you hear about so-in-so? You know he's into drugs really bad. Well you know his mom was a drug addict so you could really only expect that for him since she was his example." Stuff like that.
Well I can't mention my dad without acknowledging what an amazing triumph his life has been. And his story is his story and not mine to tell but I will say a few things that, for those that know him, is common knowledge.
My dad was born and raised in Arkansas. His parents divorced and his mom remarried. He was a bad man. Life at home wasn't good. I never had the opportunity to meet my grandmother but from what I have been told, she was a very special woman. And she loved my dad very much. I can only think that she did her best to provide what she thought was going to be the best life for her kids. My dad and his brother. She endured things that no one should ever have to and so did the kids.
When she was only in her late 30's, she was stricken with a very agressive form of breast cancer. I really cannot imagine what that sort of news must have been like for my dad. So young.
He moved to Houston for work in the mid-70's. He needed to make money so that he could help the family. Meanwhile back at home, she was dying. She lost her battle at only 41 years of age.
I was 6 weeks in my mother's stomach when she passed. My parents really wanted her to be able to have a grandchild before she passed. Oh how I can only imagine, as a parent now, how much he wanted me to know her and her to know me. And later in life, my sister.
I am so thankful for my relationship with the Lord. Because of that, He has spoken to my heart about her at times and given me, in small doses, glimpses into my dad's heart for her and for us to know her. I actually think of her often. I am excited for the day when I get to meet her in Heaven. My dad tells me how much she loved the Lord. So we will meet!
I say all of that to build a picture of what my dad's life had been in his short 21/22 years on this Earth. Abuse, heartache, abandonment, etc. He didn't have the dream childhood. At times, I am sure it was more like a nightmare.
A life like that can make you a very bitter and jaded person. It's so much easier to follow in the footsteps of your example than it is to rise above it and say "No - I'm not going to live my life like that." And that's what my dad did.
My sister and I, when we talk about our childhood, realize now that we are both parents, that we had about as close to a perfect childhood as you can get. We had the perfect balance of structure, discipline, love and fun.
My dad was never "not there." He was present at anything that we ever did. He got involved and was interested in our lives. He has always provided and protected us. I don't ever remember having a care or worry in the world when I was little because my dad could do anything and would take care of anything that might come up. He could build anything, fix anything, create anything, he was my hero.
I can remember on several occassions when he wore something quite embarrasing because I asked him to. I always loved my friends. He would play basketball outside with them and take them fishing. Some of them to this day see him as a second father. He taught Sunday School at our church to the youth and I can remember watching him at home in the Word preparing for his lessons. He treated it as such a responsibility and honor to lead those young people.
I can remember times when he had to protect us. Whether it be jumping in front of us when someone was coming to hurt us or loading us up and taking us out of town because a hurricane was coming. As long as dad was in charge, I knew we would be ok.
He never let the example of his childhood dictate who he was going to be as a father. He was such an amazing dad, and still is.
I'm so thankful that God chose him to be my dad. I think about my relationship with the Lord and how special that is and I know that so much of that ease and comfort comes from the example of my Earthly father.
My prayer is that on this Father's Day, my dad knows just how special he is and just how thankful I am for him. That his life is a great story of adversity and triumph over that adversity. Dad, you are the best! And I love you so much!
