A day for Fathers all around to be recognized for being just that… a father. You don’t really have to be a good father to get a card or some little trinket. You may get a tie or a craft that the kids made out of popsicle sticks. You may get a new TV or buy yourself some shoes. But whatever you get, it is out of a thought that since you are a father and today is Father’s Day, then you get something.
I didn’t really want anything for Father’s Day. It is one of those days for me that is bittersweet. I am so in-love with the children I have here. I also take a little time to grieve for the children that have passed away. It is not like I make Father’s Day one big grumpy-fest or am all weepy. I just take some time to remember, to thank God for the impact that all of my children have had on me and then I just enjoy the day.
Father’s Day 2011 was no different. It was a little busy with church and kids and visiting with my in-laws and all. (Well, then there was school…) I spent a little bit of time outside with the oldest two kids walking around the garden and seeing what all was growing. So far we have some tomatoes, green beans, a couple of stalks of corn and some turnip greens. Oh, and basil. We had more but the dogs thought it would be fun to dig it all up. =( But if they leave that much alone, then we should still be in good shape. Working in the garden is really helping me with understanding more about the references in the Bible. Between God’s curse on the ground so that Adam will have to work by the sweat of his brow and the parable of the Seeds on rocky/shallow/fertile soil. It also seemed to help me process some of the grief with my kids that have passed away. Seeing seeds buried in the ground and then a couple of weeks later, there are little sprouts coming up. There is healing in seeing life. God’s takes care of the birds of the air, manages to send enough rain to grow food for us, and sustain us. Are we not closer to God than the birds? Yes, we are.
So as far as Father’s Days go, I really feel that this was the best one yet.
Ah, corn…
Prodigal Thinker 