The road less traveled

Breathe in, breathe out Kev

Today would have been Dad's 68th birthday.  The weeks leading up to it would have been subtle hints given by him of what he would like for a gift.  Sears and Home Depot were popular stops, but he was not opposed to Lowes for his power tool needs.  Sometimes we would go in on a gift and others we would give a gift card.  The kids would scream Happy Birthday Papaw into the phone and then he would laugh and tell they he loved them.  I would end the call with, "I love you Pop"

I dreamed about Dad last night, he came over to talk and eventually he had to go. He says, "I have to get back to heaven now"  I started to cry and asked him to stay just a little longer.  He asked if I had any wood in the garage he could "borrow" (Which he did often while on earth) I said as much as you need, then I woke up.

I was a mess this morning, Erin consoling me before she had to leave for work, then Serena came in and wanted to play me a song on the phone, It was a song about Heaven and how we long for it and it was all I could do to keep from turning to an even bigger mess.  I took the kids to school and stopped to get something to eat.  I looked over to see a Dad holding his baby and the baby grabbing his nose.  How I long for a hug from my father, to hear one more story, to sing one more song.  My dad was a man of character, of unflinching love for his family and those around him.  If he offended you he apologized, if you needed money he would give you his last dollar.  There is no need to exaggerate anything about him for he was consistent.  I know he's in Heaven, that is a hard pill for some to swallow as Heaven is fairy tale to people I know.  Why believe in the alternative? 

Dad took a road that is less and less traveled as we get older, where men stand for things, help others, show compassion, slow to judge, shake hands, look people in the eye.  He may not have sat you down and had long conversations about life, but he worked and he helped and he showed his love every day.  Today my mom struggles with his passing as they were a team, partners in a life that at times was rough but filled with so many lasting loving memories.  So I am going to end this now and go buy her some flowers.  If you should happen to think of it today, pray for my Mom and tell your parents you love them.