Today I spent some time thinking about my dad. It's hard to believe that he has been gone from this world for over 20 years now. I had taken a break from my work-a-day world and as I sat there he seemed very close to me. I had not set out to think about him but thoughts about my life with him flooded into my head.
For whatever reason, I thought about the last time that I touched his hands while he was alive. I had gone to visit him in the hospital and I remember sitting by his bedside holding his hand while he slept. We said nothing. It was just a quiet moment that I could just love him and thank God for giving me such a wonderful man for my role model in this life. At this stage in his life, his hands were frail; it would only be a few more weeks before he would go to be with the Lord.
Looking back, his hands were not always frail. As a young boy I remember those hands being firm and strong as he showed me the proper technique for holding a wooden baseball bat. As I grew, his hands were gentle when he put them on my shoulder to comfort me and give me guidance during my formidable teenage years. On my wedding day, I remember he shook my hand, and, as he did, he placed his other hand on my back and he pulled me close to him and he whispered in my ear how proud he was of me.
There was also one other time of my life with him that I remembered today. It was August 9, 1977. It was the night that I told him that I wanted to surrender my life to Jesus. As I confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, he took my hands and prayed with me. After we prayed, he squeezed my hands and told me that he loved me. He was a wonderful role model.
So today I missed him. Actually, I miss him a lot. It's comforting to know that when I see him again his hands won't be frail anymore. When I see him again, I'll hold his hand and knowing him, he'll take me to meet all of the friends he's made in Heaven. I love you, Dad.
Be Well.
Bill
