Father's Day

Father's Day has come and gone for another year. For the last seven years I have found Father's Day to be a two edged sword. I have a wonderful husband who is a wonderful father to our daughter, Hillary Doll, yet I no longer have my wonderful dad. It will be seven years on September 24th and it seems like only yesterday when his strong hand held mine and he told me how much he loved me.

My dad was the best father on the planet. I know that others would say there dad was great as well and that is a wonderful thing. There are so few truly wonderful fathers. My dad, Clifton Otho Pease, was a great man of God. He had such integrity. His character was implacable. He was loved by everyone. As a matter of fact, I have never met anyone who didn't like my dad. He was honest, kind and the most of all humble. I remember my dad once telling me when I was upset with someone and I probably said something to them that I would regret later, "When you feel like saying something hurtful, take a deep breath and stop to think about those words will hurt someone. If you still think it is worth saying out loud, take another deep breath and think again." I don't remember my dad ever saying a hurtful thing to anyone. I tried to remember these words, "I am the master of words unused and the slave to words that should not have been said.

He had to leave his schooling after the 8th grade to contribute to the family finances and that was always such an embarrassment to him because he thought he was not smart but my dad could do anything and build anything. He built our house and our summer house, he had his own cobbler business (although he gave away more than he sold) and I can't remember anything that my dad couldn't fix.

The lasting memory I have of my dad is of him reading and studying his Bible. He was an awesome Christian and that example is one that I want to emulate. I have often seen him on his knees praying even in the latter years of his life when kneeling was not an easy thing. I know that I will be with my dad again and that is a wonderful comfort to me. He was always my rock, my "go to guy" for all things spiritual. Now I must depend on the true rock ~ the cornerstone of my faith, my heavenly father ~ he too will hold my hand and give me spiritual guidance. All I have to do is be still and know that He is God.

If you have a dad today, hug him, kiss him, hold him and tell him you love him and I pray that he has been a Godly influence on your life. There is no greater comfort when your dad is gone then when you know he is in heaven just waiting for you.