Today I am straying from my musings on Scripture. I need to write about a very special man—my dad. Daddy is 101 years old today. I have been so blessed to have this man in my life. Dad is a quiet man yet strong. Dad’s faith is unshakable. While I was growing up, Dad wore many hats—he was a farmer, worked a union job, a husband, and a father. Dad wore all his hats well but the last two hats he wore with pride. Our family was not one to hug and kiss each other. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve heard the words “I love you” from my parents. And in truth, I didn’t need to. There was never any doubt. I knew that I was loved. I knew that no matter what bone-headed thing I did, that love was always there to correct me and set me on the right path again. And Dad gave me and my siblings the greatest gift a father can give his children—Dad loved our mother. They were devoted to each other in a way that was so clear to us that words were unnecessary. That surety gave us a firm foundation, deep roots, and the courage to fly away. He misses Mom so much, yet he gives thanks for the years they had together and believes they will be reunited in God’s good time. Another great gift Dad gave me was faith. As I said above, his faith is unshakable. His faith is a part of his daily life. I saw that as a child, a teenager, a young bride, and now as a grown woman. God gave me and my sibs an excellent role model of love and fidelity when God placed us under Dad’s care. This very special gift of a man is one for which I will be eternally grateful. Happy Birthday, Daddy. I thank God for you.
