IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE MORE FATHER'S DAY WITH MY DAD

A FATHER IS
SOMEONE WHO LISTENS, WITH HIS HEART,
SPEAKS WITH HIS HUGS, AND TEACHES NOT BY WORDS,
BUT BY EXAMPLE. unknown

I have wished with all my heart that I could go back, back in time, oh, so many times. To the days when I had my Dad here each day. I would appreciate him so much more. I would love him so much better. I would use my time with him in ways that would mean so much more. But he is gone now and with my physical arms, I can no longer give him a hug or say, "Dad, I love you." I can no longer look at his hands and see them with all their corn and callouses as proof, he has given his youth to take care of my mom and us kids. I can no longer look at his dear face and see the lines and wrinkles that came from the worry over seeing that we would have enough food on our table and a roof over our heads as we needed. All the many decisions he had to make in life to make sure that we turned our right and on the right road. I did not know then how hard it is to have such a great responsibility as to raise a child must less nine of them. To make sure that they know right from wrong and grow up to have common sense and wisdom to make it through this life.

To be a good Dad, it takes courage and strength when other have lost theirs. It takes comforting when all they would really like is to be comforted themselves. It takes having to stand up and make the hard decisions when just one time they would like to be able to say, "Oh, go ahead, maybe it want hurt this one time." But they know it might, so they have to be the one to say "no." when just once they would like to be seen as the good guy and be able to say ,"yes." They can't say, "yes" when it takes a "no" because they know what it might cost in your life. With each step they have to be ready to step in and steady us and give good advice about the way or ways we are choosing. A good Dad has to always take care of the needs of his family, whether he feels like it or not. Most have to go on to work or do whatever needs doing without going to bed and resting for a while. They just have to keep going to ensure us of food in our bellies and roofs over our heads and clothes on our backs. Sometimes when we look at the food, we don't stop to say thank you and think about what it cost our Dad's to provide it for us. We gripe and complain because we don't have what someone of our friends has and don't stop to appreciate how hard it was for our Dad's to provide what we do have. Our clothes may not be what someone on television has to wear so we think that it is not good enough but what did it cost our Dad to be able to provide it for us.

I did not look at my Dad and count the cost. I just knew it would be there. Dad always made a way. Until I was grown, did I know how hard it gets sometimes. I did not look at my Dad and see how hard he worked. I never stopped to think that he would have probably like to do fun things also but was never there. He had to work or do something involving work. I did not think about how he gave his last bit of money so that we could have something we thought special. It was just Dad. He was our security. He was the one we could depend on. He never changed. He showed us his love in so many ways and yet until I was grown do I actually remember the words coming from his mouth. I did not question that love. I felt it in his touch, his voice, his protection of us. He was my Dad. I did not know that when I did wrong, it concerned him so much that he had to discipline me and that it cost him so much to have to do it. As a adult with my children, I learned the price that has to be paid but back then oh, way back then, I did not know. I wondered why his hair turned grey and the wrinkles came and the strength of body began to leave him and I know that I was the reason many times. It was not that I was doing bad that much but to raise a child takes all you have. It takes all your love, your patience, your hope, your concern, your youth, your strength and your courage and most of all your trust in God to lead, guide, and protect your children to do right, to grow right, and if mistakes are made in judgement to return to the God that they love and to the way, that as parents we have taught them . My Dad loved me and I wish that I had just one more Father's Day to show him the respect, honor and love that he so deserved.

If you have a Father that still lives today, just remember chances are, he will not always be here for you to respect, honor and love. One day you like myself would wish for just a chance to have just one more moment with him. If your Father is alive but you are separated from him because of your rebellious nature. Make things right with your heavenly Father and then with the Father that gave you life, raised you, protected you, taught you all the good things that you know, would like the heavenly Father give his life for you, if need be. He loves you. He will always love you. Don't forget, think back over the years, Take the time to tell him of that love and not only tell him but show him. Oh, how I wish that I could, my Dad. It is not too late for you. Don't waste another moment.Good Dad are worth so much and we treat them sometimes like they are worthless.

Dad I do wish you were here for me to hug and tell you how much I appreciated you and how very much that I love you.

My Dad is not here today but the Father of my Children is and I want him to know how much, I love him and how much I appreciate him for all that he has put into our family to make it what it is. I thank him for all those days, he went to work ill, for all the time he worked til he had no strength left, for all the good advice, the good example you have been, for all the provision in every area of our lives. We have seen and felt your love. Thank you so much for the giving of your youth and strength, on our behalf. I hope that I have made it easier for you as you bore the burdens of our family. Thank you for loving the Lord and showing that love before our eyes. I hope that you have one great Father's Day! Just know that you have a wife that loves and appreciates you in every way and for each thing that you have been for good and each thing that you have sacrificed for your family. I love you. connie

p.s. I love you Dad.