Celebrating Father’s Day in America this weekend, here’s another go at last year’s post…
Cherished and adored, two words that remind me of my father. And loved.
Although it’s been several years since Papa passed, there’s still a crater-sized hole in my heart. I don’t think that hole will ever get smaller because Papa loomed so large in my life. Center-stage with Mama, the two of them cheered me on with their love to do and be – whatever, whenever, wherever.
Their deep love anchored this red head through good times and turbulent times: always there, a constant port in any storm.
Papa cherished me (& my 4 siblings) through our growing pains in childhood, the onset of adulthood, and as we muddled our way into middle-age-hood. He would say, “You are beautiful!” (Growing up with a pimply face & skinny legs, really Papa?)
He pushed us to pursue our dreams. He supported us. He made time for us.
Growing up in a boisterous family with five kids, sometimes it was hard for my younger brother and me to get a word in edge-wise. Papa made space for us to speak through daily ‘round table’ dinner discussions where we each shared the highlights (or challenges) of our days.
He spent time with us. He took Section B (as we’re called, the three oldest = Section A) on monthly dates for dinner and every Walt Disney movie that came out. (There were many.) When we were a little older it was John Wayne westerns. (There were many of those, too!)
As I grew up these fun outings morphed into more serious encounters – a time set aside to seek his wise counsel and share worries, debacles, hopes and (ever changing) dreams.
An important part of cherishing is encouragement. Papa encouraged me to seek, to speak, to do, to be all that I was, and am, meant to be as his beloved daughter and precious daughter of God, our Heavenly Father.
When I moved away from home to work in Washington, D.C. and then overseas for many years, Papa & Mama called every week, faxed and emailed (as technology evolved.) They were always there for me. Even when several oceans separated us, I knew they had my back in prayer (their heavenly-hotline buzzing as I dodged bullets, stones, landmines and endured malaria, fractured ankles et all.)
Papa always said, “The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
God dished out grace in many ways, in many places. But a big chunk of ‘hang-in-there-grace’ came through Papa and Mama. Despite incredible challenges, their example of faithfulness – to God, to each other, to us, to ministry – inspired me in hard places to keep going.
The will of God has now taken me to this place of being father-less on Father’s Day. I pray for God’s grace to keep me when my heart misses Papa. Lots!
I miss his larger-than-life presence, his love, encouragement, cherishment, the twinkle in his eyes, his sense of humor, his joy (even when as a bedfast quadriplegic he couldn’t move anything.) His zeal for life. His faith in God, and his faith in me.
Cherished. Adored. Loved. All three, a gift from my father to me.
There is a crater-sized hole in my heart and life, but it’s filled with the legacy of Papa’s love: the love of Jesus in and through him to me. Thank you, Papa! We miss you!!
A blessed Father’s Day to you fathers out there. Treasure the moments.
Cherish, adore, love: see what your children become.
grace, peace & legacies of Love
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
I love you, Ginny❣️ Thank you for this great tribute to both Dad & Mom … we were blessed with the both of them beyond words!
Love you, too, Cin!! 💜🤗💜 We’re blessed to have such a deep legacy of Love running through the veins of our lives! Hugs! 🌷😎🌷
Now I love your father! As beautiful a testimony as I have ever read. What a dear special father you had.
Michele – it’s a blessing not to be taken for granted, the love & affirmation of our fathers (& mothers!) More valuable than gold, methinks. Hugs! 🌷😎✨🤗✨🌷
Dear Virginia, thank you for sharing these beautiful sentiments about your precious dad. You were so blessed having them both in your life ❤ Sending you a big hug! God's blessings!
Big hugs back at ‘cha, Patty! ‘Tis truly a blessing, my parents’ love & faith & encouragement – now both so dearly missed. Much love, 💜✨😇✨🤗✨💜
We remember, we always remember, they may not be physically here with us anymore but they are always present in our hearts.
Amen, Arlene. I miss Papa & Mama so much, but the deep reservoir of their love is everpresent & keeps my heart full. Hugs! 💜✨🤗✨💜✨🌷
💕💕💕🤗🤗🤗I hope these Garfield hugs lessen the crater size hole you feel. Blessings to your father in heaven💐
Thanks, GH! It’s a big crater, but Garfield Hugs help! Blessings & love, ✨💜✨🌷🤗🌷✨
Virginia, I read your other posts about your very loving parents and I continue to be amazed at their strength, faith and love for each other.
Bernadette, the love of God kept them going. Love (with a capital ‘L’) knitted their hearts together with Divine joy, grace, mercy & peace to face tough times with faith – even if we wobbled a bit at times! Blessings! 💜✨🤗✨💜🌷💜✨
Wow!
Thanks for popping by… 💜🌷✨🌷💜
Lovely tribute, Virginia. I empathize — I lost my dear dad nine years ago and still miss him every day.
Thanks, Debbie – missing our dads keeps the legacies of their love alive in our hearts. Blessings & hugs!!!! ✨💜✨🤗✨💜✨
Virginia- I am misty eyed as I read this and think about your dear Papa who was a Papa to soooo many of us who he loved and we deeply loved in return!! Thank you for sharing him with us and for sharing such sweet memories of all he and your Mom were to you and to us!! Blessings! Carol
PS:my email,has changed
Carol – thank you for all you meant to Papa and Mama, your loving presence in their lives was such a precious gift! Big hugs (& lots of love!!)😇 💜✨🤗✨💜😇
So sweet!
Thank you, Michele. Blessings to you & your family. ✨🤗✨
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