late father's day post

there are times when I forget how truly lucky and blessed I am.  and then father's day rolls around - and i realize how many "father-type" role models that I've been given.  it's true that my biological father passed away many years ago.  and there's not a day that goes by that i don't miss him, wish he was here to play with my children, or wonder what he's doing now...but when it's father's day, i remember how much our Heavenly Father loves me.  because i feel that i have not only one, but FOUR fathers and one hubby who is an AMAZING father.

 

after my father passed away, my grandfather became like a father to me.  i actually grew up in the same house as him and so he helped to raise me and my brothers before he passed away in 2009.  my mom remarried in 2004.  my stepfather is a man that has stepped in to be there for my mom and our family, and to endlessly grant the playful requests from all 12 of the grandchildren that stop by the house almost every day.  my father-in-law is one of the sweetest, most humble & patient men.  he helps to care for our children while Brandon and i go to work every day.  and i'm grateful that i can count on him to rescue us (and our broken van!) when we really need him.



 

"the place to take the true measure of a man is not in the darkest place, nor the amen corner, not in the cornfield, but by his own fireside.  there he lays aside his mask, and you will find if he is an imp or an angel, cur or king, hero or humbug.  i care not what the world says of him: whether it crowns him king or pelts him with bad eggs.  i care not a copper what his reputation or religion may be.  if his babies dread his homecoming, and his better half swallows her heart every time she asks for a five-dollar bill he is a fraud of the first water, even though he prays morning and night until he is black in the face....but if his children rush to the front door to meet him and love's sunshine illuminates the face of his wife every time she hears his footfall, you can take it for granted that he is pure.  for his home is a heaven.  i can forgive much in that fellow mortal who would rather make men swear than women weep; who would rather have the hate of the whole world than the contempt of his wife; who would rather call anger to the eyes of a king than fear to the face of a child." 

-W. C. Brann from Elbert Hubbard's scrapbook

my mother shared this quote with me when i was single, hoping that i'd find a man that would not only be a suitable eternal companion, but also a wonderful father to our future children...and i think that i found a pretty swell guy that fits the bill!

 

so this past Sunday i woke up early...i knew that he wouldn't want much since we're trying to cut back on most expenses, so i reverted to the old standby: breakfast in bed.  i made for him bacon and eggs, whole wheat pancakes (from scratch), and POG.  yummm...he got so full that he fell right back asleep for a nap before getting ready for church.  mission - accomplished. =)

 

 



happy father's day to the man whose children rush to the front door to meet him, the man that illuminates my face with love's sunshine every time i hear his footfall.  i'm so grateful that i got a good one, for sure.