My husband told me that he wasn't going to read my post on Father's Day because it was going to be too sentimental and mushy. I said, "no its not!" So, I have been thinking all morning about what to say about my dad, my grandfather's, my father-in-law, and the other "father's" in my life without being sentimental. And, Tim was right, I can't do it...I can't talk about the "fathers" in my life without being mushy. Even as I write this I am on the verge of tears.
Dr. Gary Chapman writes in the
Five Love Languages, that we receive and express love in different ways, through affirmation, gifts, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch.
I have wonderful examples of "men" in my life. They are all hard working, tremendously gifted, and incredibly loving. And I have come to realize that they all show their love in very different ways.
My dad showed his love by being at every single soccer game, lacrosse game, and track event. He showed his love by rising to the challenge of raising five girls. He showed his love by taking me to the Urgent Care everytime I pretended to break my ankle. He showed his love by waking up every morning at 5am and going to work to put us through college, and to always make us feel that we had everything we wanted and needed. He showed his love by making us the best darn omelets every Saturday morning. And he showed his love by teaching us how to have fun, to have a beer, a burger and maybe some Maryland blue crabs thrown in, to listen to the Temptations, and to laugh.
It is hard for me to really understand how my dad's father showed him love and us love. Most of my memories of Pop Pop are in the pictures, since he passed away from leukemia when I was in eighth grade. One of the hardest things in my life to this day is that my little brother, my husband, and my children will not get to meet one of the greatest men in my life. If Pop Pop were alive today I think that everyone would say, "You are your grandfather's daughter." He was contemplative, he had a quick temper, was a man of the Word, and he had ambition, drive, yet seeked solitude. He walked ten miles a day into town to get the newspaper. And he had the most gracious smile and big loving arms.
I have also had the gift of being extremely close to all of my uncles. They have all been there for me at one point in my life...Giving me what they could, whether it be advice, a hug, a smile, or a person to laugh and play with.
My other grandfather, Bam, is nothing short of amazing. He is a wonderful man who has worked hard his entire life. He has loved everyone of his grandchildren equally and has loved me by showing me grace and forgiveness many times. He is the head of a very large and rowdy family...And he is the incredible silent leader of us all.
My new "father." Geoff, who I sadly don't have a picture of but you can check him out
here on his blog, is my father-in-law. He shows me love by putting up with my smart comments, and he shows me love by asking me how I am doing. He shows me love by grabbing the back of my neck with both of his hands (his form of the hug). But mostly, his greatest influence on my life, was the love that he showed to my husband by being a caring and compassionate father, and by raising his children to have a personal relationship with God.
These are some of the fathers in my life and I love them all dearly, and I am thankful for the love that they show me and those around me as well.
For more posts on Father's Day, check out
Becca and Bella.
I just found this new photographer, Ann Elliott Cutting. (Actually, she may not be new, but she is new to me) Her photographs are pictures of memory, definition, and life. The above photograph is part of her "nature" collection and is described as "Theology. Humankind's natural state as distinguished from the state of grace."
Here is another photo that I believe aptly portrays its intended message. Cutting has defined this photograph, in her portfolio of photos best representing the word "found," as "To come upon or discover by searching or making an effort."
