Good morning…
Along with a baby blue golf shirt to match the color of his eyes, I gave me father a tiny yellow birthday gift. Pictured above, I gave him a small symbol of the love I see him sharing tenderly with my mother, his wife for over sixty years. Two little ceramic birds leaning into each other. One with eyes open, the other with eyes resting shut. Comfort. Support. Two melting into one.
I wrapped up the feathered figure with a gift I had given my dad for Christmas from the Santa Shop at the elementary school when I was young. The small wooden plaque reads, “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” Until this recent health scare, when my mom returned to my dad’s voice from the doorsteps of heaven, I had never really witnessed the deep love my father has for my mother.
Growing up, I was a kid. After marrying, we moved away. Having our own four kids, our brief visits were crazy with cousins. Until now, I had never really sat still in the quiet energy of my parents’ lifelong love. I completely admire the bond they share as two imperfect people transformed by the endless love of God. Their marriage is summed up in the birthday card my sister found for our mom to give to our dad on his 85th birthday.
When my parents walked down the wedding aisle the Saturday after my mother graduated from college, I am now seeing in full bloom how wonderfully God nailed it!
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don’t have a companion to help them up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, CEB).
…Sue…
