#1 Dad!

Today is father's day. A day to celebrate Gideon's wonderful father. We woke our dad up this morning with a kiss and snuggle in the big bed. Noah loved his homemade gifts that followed, and like the true wonderful father he is, got Gideon ready for church while I got ready myself. While sitting in church, I remembered a Sunday of long ago. I was maybe 17 or 18, with Noah in the church we attend now, and had come as guests of his family. I don't remember the reason, but I remember it was one of my first times at their church and I remember the entire family was there. I remember seeing Pat at the head of the pew. In his flannel shirt and jeans. Singing quietly, not making a big spectacle of himself. His family gathered near him. The girls couldn't have been more than 13 or 14, and Pat kept a watchful eye on them. I remember being fascinated by this scene, the family at church. I don't know why. We didn't really attend church when I was growing up, so maybe I was fascinated due to the longing in my heart that Jesus placed there. Not sure. But I do so vividly remember that scene. And I'd totally forgotten about it until this morning, sitting in the pew with my husband. Flannel shirt and jeans on. Singing ever so quietly, while holding our son. I am so in awe at how wonderful of a father he is. Not only is he the playmate, but he's my helpmate as well. Quick to change a diaper, or walk a fussy baby at midnight. Did his father do these same things when he was a baby? I can only think so. Noah is so much like his father. I can't imagine Pat not having such a vested interest in his children. While I did not know him well, I feel that I have a second chance with Noah. I know he possesses so many of the wonderful traits his father had. I know that Noah is a bit sad on days like this, where we rise up and honor our fathers. And I know his father would have been so very proud of the man he's turned into, and the father he's becoming. I thank God for wonderful fathers like Pat who turn their own children into wonderful fathers as well. I hope one day when Gideon is sitting with his own child, gently reprimanding him, or just holding him close and laughing at his baby ways, he'll remember everything his father taught him, and how very much he loved him.