July 22, 2010, would have been my Daddy's 99th birthday. He so wanted to make it to 100 but soon after his 96th birthday he was transported by angels from his hospital bed into his eternal heavenly home forever to be with his Saviour.
I dreamed about him last night. I was at his house but he wasn't home. Not sure why but I dream about him or something connected with him often. It sort of comes in waves. I will dream those dreams maybe three or four nights out of a week and then not dream about it anymore for several weeks.
As I often do, this morning I drank my coffee out of Daddy's cup. When me and my step sisters were cleaning out Dad and Trudy's house after Trudy passed away last winter I finally took Daddy's cup home with me one day. We had left much of the kitchen items sitting on some tables so that any of the family that wanted to could pick out what they wanted. The weather was so cold and there was only the one heater in the house and us girls had been freezing trying to get the house cleaned out so it could be sold. After several weeks no one still had picked up Daddy's cup with the fish on it. I had given it to him several years ago for either Father's Day or his birthday so decided I would just take it home with me to drink my coffee from. I was pretty sure that would please him! And so I did and so I have!
I am like my Daddy in some ways but different in many others. He loved to fish! That's why I gave him the fishing cup. I hate fishing! He liked his coffee strong and black. I like mine with plenty of cream. He drank Folgers. I drink Maxwell House. He wanted the "real deal" (caffeine) I drink decaf. I'll never forget an incident several years ago. It was my sister Leola's birthday and I went by and picked up Dad and Trudy and we headed down to see her. I had baked a cake and bought ice cream for us to have when we got there. When we got ten or fifteen miles from her house I called to see if she would like to fix a pot of coffee for us to have with the cake. She told me to ask Daddy if he wanted her to make decaf since it was the middle of the afternoon. His reply from the back seat was very forceful...."Tell her I'd just as soon have a cup of ditch water as decaf coffee!" So that settled that! He had his coffee that afternoon with his daughters just like he liked it....strong, black, and with caffeine!
The Bible verse on Daddy's cup is from Proverbs 27: 19 and says: "As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man."
Just as when we look in water we see our face reflected, so can we see the reflection of another's heart when we get to know them. My Daddy had a good heart. Not physically for the heart that beat in his chest was not very strong in his last days. But spiritually his heart was solid as a rock. I'm glad I got to know him!
Good reflections of a good man. Happy Birthday Daddy!
Marilyn
9 comments:
Marilyn, Your post brought back memories of my Dad. His birthday was also this month on the 27th.
He would have been 95 this year but his life was taken in 1988. I have sweet memories though. I have dreamed about Mom a lot the past few weeks. She died July 9th at the age of 89. I know that in time this will become sweet memories too. Have a good day.
Dear Marilyn, thank you for the kind and loving comments left at my blog site. I'm sure my heart did a skip kind of thing when you mentioned pointing people to the Saviour rather than ourselves. What a joyful thought.
I'm sorry you have lost your Daddy but I'm so very glad you have such tender memories of him. I'm in the middle of writing a post about another Daddy which is quite different than yours. I think of the goodness of God and how each person's story reflects yet another aspect of God's amazing grace.
I enjoyed your reflections so much.
Blessings,
Judith
Thank you sweet friend for these precious and funny comments about your daddy! I had a moment yesterday about running over and spending the night with daddy and mama next week. Just a fraction of a second thought that wnet through my mind and then realized that I can't. But, boy, are the memories wonderful!! Happy birthday in heaven to your daddy!!
Hugs!
Susan
Oh, It seems like you were close with your dad. What a blessing God gave him to you to be such a gift in your life.
And isn't it comforting to know that your Dad is with Jesus now. I know that gives me great comfort when I think about my parents who have gone on to be with the Lord!
Such a warm and tender memory thank you for sharing it with us.
Oh my goodness...I love that 'ditch water' comment. I'll have to remember that. I'm a decaf girl myself, but there are many days that I'd love to have a cuppa regular coffee.
Great post about your Daddy. I posted earlier this week about my Daddy. Seems to be Daddy-post weeks.
Am I going to see you at gIRL???
Leah
Isn't it wonderful to have such memories! I haven't yet had a dream about my Dad...now I'm wondering what the first one will be!
I saw your comment over at Elaine's place and wanted to meet you. What a lovely testament to your daddy. I am excited to know that you also dreams.
I'm 24/7 caregiver for dad. Mama passed into heaven almost 8 years ago. I still miss her. Don't have many dreams about her but I sure miss her.
The Lord knows what we need to gently move us through the grief.
God bless you
Patrina <")>><
A good cup of coffee with our father's heart in mind isn't a bad way to start the day.
I love our Father's heart, don't you? And I love the way you share your heart regarding your past. It speaks of the goodness and kindness of generational ties. I have a few of those and pray that when I'm long gone, my kids will have a few as well.
Love you friend. Thanks for stopping by my life today!
peace~elaine
Post a Comment