Today being Fathers day, I can't help think about my my own father. Dad was one of 11 children, & was young when I was born & for this & other reasons that I did not learn until dad was older & we had many heart to heart talks,did I relize that he really did not not know how to be a good father. His own dad died when he was 16, & while he was alive, did not have a loving relationship with him. When he would want to watch his dad working on something, he was told in no uncertain terms to leave & not bother him. His mother also was not the warm nourishing kind of mom which didn't help matters.

My earliest memory of my dad was of him retuning home after an absence I believe of two years. I was 4 at the time. Growing up I always wished that I had a dad that I knew loved me. I think in his own way he did , but wasn't able to express it until years later.

I watch my son-in-law with the girls. He shows such infinite patience with them as he lets them help daddy. The tasks I'm sure could be done more speedily & efficeintly with out the "help" but he lovingly lets them help & explains things to them as he works. Life lessons are not always the big things, but sometimes the manner in which even small things are given. He is the kind of father I always wished that I had growing up.
There were some good times though that I can look back on with fondness. Daddy loved to fish & I can remember trips to a river fishing with my mom, dad, & younger sister. One time stands out especially because of my dad's quick thinking & action. He & my sister had started walking away when a scream from my mother & I found him running back as a poisonous snake swam towards us. I think we were allerted by fishermen across the river. Dad somehow killed the snake with his fishing pole. I suppose to some people the snakes unusual markings were beautiful, but I did not want to give more than a quick look at him. Dad was my hero that day.

As I reflect on this Father's Day I try to think about the good times & gloss over the bad times spent with my dad. I'm thankful that my daughter was fortunate enough to marry a man who possesses those Christian qualities that make a good father, & because his wonderful mom whom I never had a chance to know isn't here to tell him, I try to let him know what a great father & husband I think he is.