It's a Wonderful Day!

What a gorgeous day the Lord has made!

Today is Dad’s 84th birthday. Sometimes it’s hard for me to fathom he’s already been gone seven years. Diabetes finally took him captive. Dad said if knew he was going to live that long, he wished he’d taken better care of himself. Me too.

Our birthdays were special. Not so much in the gift giving part—just the whole thought of the birthday. We lived 750 miles from each other and Dad wasn’t feeling any computer stuff, so e-mail was out. On our birthdays we’d phone one another. On my birthday, he’d call me at 4:30 in the morning—because that was the time I was born. I miss those calls. One of my friends offered to do it. Very sweet, yet not the same.

On Dad’s birthday, I’d send him a least a dozen cards. From silly to the serious. He’d display them all over his house. When I still lived close by, he’d make sure the grill was fired up the ribs and chicken were on it. He would do this on his own birthday! I would have gifts in hand, plus an eager tummy. I miss those times—and so does my tummy.

I would also write Dad letters, especially while I sat at work—not working. I loved doing that. I knew he looked forward to them and so did I. On his burial day, I wrote one last letter to give him. I wrote it right before I headed to his funeral. Once there, before the guests arrived, I placed it in his pocket, along with his beloved King Edward cigars, and some pictures. I considered putting the Beanie Baby, “Cheery” that had kept Dad company in the hospital, inside his casket. Yet, I got selfish. I wanted Cheery to keep me company, like it did for Dad, as we both traveled new roads. Dad’s new road eventually took him Home. My road took me onto a new life without him physically here.

Dad is in my spirit.

Today, his birthday, would be a great day for us to sit on a riverbank, fish and reminisce. We’d have some good Daddy/Daughter time. The way it should be. Just the two of us. I miss those times too, yet the memories make me smile.

Indeed, this is a wonderful day the Lord has made for Daddy’s birthday!