On Father’s Day here’s a post shared awhile back that resonates today…
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 missing him. 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 redhead through good times and turbulent times: always there, a constant port in every storm.
Papa cherished me (and my 4 siblings) through our growing pains in childhood, the onset of adulthood, and as we muddled our way into middle-aged-hood. He would say, “You are beautiful!” (Growing up with a pimply face and 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 he asked each of us to share the highlights and challenges of our days.
Round table went like this:
- “Did you have a good day (or a bad day?)
- “What was the best thing (or the worst thing?)
- “Do you have anything to ask, or show, or tell?” (We had to bring our ‘shows’ with us to the table.)
Papa & Mama’s round table (still in use)
Papa spent time with us. He took Section B (what he called my younger brother and me, 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 be all that I can be as his beloved daughter and precious daughter of our Heavenly Father.
When I moved away from home to work in Washington, D.C. and then overseas for many years, Papa and 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 with 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 and 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 to keep going.
Papa always said, “When I’m weakest, God is strongest!”
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.)
I miss 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, but it’s filled with the legacy of Papa’s love: the love of Jesus in and through him to me. Thank you, Papa!
A blessed Father’s Day to you fathers out there. Treasure the moments.
Cherish, adore, love. See what your children become.
Virginia misses her Papa & Mama so much!!
grace, peace & legacies of Love
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
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Thanks for the hugs, Michelle!! 💞🤗💞
Your father seemed to be an absolutely loving man, and such an encouraging dad! There’s no “fatherless”, his love will always surround you.
Thank you for that assuring comfort, I’m not fatherless- my papa’s love is always with me (just can’t give him hugs in person!) Blessings! 🌟🤗🌟
Thank you , Virginia, missing your Dad too…thank you for our Heavenly Father…
Know it’s hard missing your dad, too, Carol-Jo. But we’re really not “fatherless” – the love of our fathers is part of us, deep in our hearts and lives. Big hugs! 🌟🤗🌟
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Thank you!💞 🌟🤗🌟💞
We’re sharing another fatherless Father’s Day, Virginia, and it doesn’t get one bit easier, does it? I lost my dad to cancer nearly 12 years ago, and even today, I still miss his love, encouragement, humor, and common sense. I kind of like the mental picture that he and your dad have met up in heaven and are watching down over us (perhaps with my darling doggie Dallas between them?!) Hugs, my friend!
Oh Debbie, you have me tearing up! Missing our dads, yes, but with precious Dallas there with them, too? Thankfully the legacies of their collective love burns brightly in our hearts and lives. Although it’s hard missing them! Big hugs! 💞🌟🤗🌟💞
I always enjoy the roundtable questions.
We will never forget roundtable – seems like a pretty smart way for mama & papa to keep track of what was important to their kids! Blessings, Tim! 💐😷💐
Praying and thinking of you on this difficult day and hope you are cherishing wonderful memories.
Thank you for your prayers, Tangie. I miss papa so much, but the legacy of his love has left behind many precious memories to cherish. Blessings to you! 🌟🤗🌟
Virginia, this is so beautiful. As I read, I felt my parents’ love surround me, memories of things I hadn’t thought about in years. Such a lovely reminder to let love heal grief. Thank you,
Deb
Thank you, Deb. It’s hard missing our parents, but the legacies of their love in our hearts and lives is like a river that never runs dry. Here’s to letting Love heal grief! Blessings & hugs! 💞🌟🤗💞🌟
Cheers to that! 😍 Amen and blessings& hugs back. 🌻💛🙋🏻
Much love and prayers for you Virginia! Thank you for sharing his love for you all. I love his beautiful smile! ❤
Thank you, Patty. I miss Papa’s smile (& his quirky sense of humor) but the legacy of his love and encouragement is always with me. Much love! 💞🌟🤗