Father’s Day this year felt a bit like Christmas, some fine gifts given to me. A cool watch, a lamp that has the right amber color for nighttime viewing and a sweet sense of how valuable I am to my family as a father. We are not too syrupy so it doesn’t come out in poetry or anything like that, but smiles and other pleasant comments.
I really enjoyed the holiday and felt blessed by it and my family. I joked with my daughter that I can’t wait for next years Father’s Day.
Growing up, I never thought of myself as a father actually. I’m pretty sure I was a selfish young man that didn’t think nearly enough of the other people that would enter into my life by marriage or by birth. My field of view was pretty narrow you could say as I seemed to only look through a tarnished mirror.
I think I was a pretty good person actually, I just didn’t know much about being a Father. My Father was quite distant usually and unapproachable by me. Others seemed to have more time with him than I did. I did learn a lot from him, but it was more at arms length than right under his shadow.
This rejection as his son allowed me to be distant at times as well with my own son and daughter. So when they wished me a Happy Father’s Day and betokened it, I actually believed them and felt grateful. I still do. It’s kind of a powerful title actually, Father. I know it is a favorite of God’s; I’m thankful He allows me to share it with Him.