My Dad will be 88 years old this year. I have had my dad in my life guiding me, nurturing me, correcting me and standing beside me for more than 50 years. As Fathers Day approaches I realize that a lot of my close friends and relatives wont be able to celebrate Fathers Day with their dad. Not because they don't live in the same state, but because their dad has gone to be with our heavenly Father. The older we get the more we realize what we perhaps took for granted in our younger years.
Every year for Father's Day I bake my dad a peach pie. Anyone who knows my dad knows that pie is his VERY favorite meal. It took me years to perfect my pie baking skills, and I am sorry to say that my dad was the unfortunate taster of my journey to perfection.
For many years my dad was out of town for Fathers Day, getting out of the valley of the "so hot sun melt your eyebrows off" state. But even when he wasn't here, without fail I would bake him a peach pie, snap a photo and send it to him. I would then give the pie to "a Dad" in honor of my father. This year I will get to give my dad the REAL pie!
This Fathers Day I will celebrate God giving me one more year with my Dad. One more year of laughs, smiles and hugs. One more year of his guidance, wisdom and tenderness. One more year of seeing the joy on his face when he looks at his grandchildren. One more year of watching him delight in his great grandchildren. I soak it all up and cherish every moment, because I know that many people don't have that chance anymore.
It really doesn't matter if your dad is 50 or 100. None of us know how long we have on this earth to enjoy the people we love. Life happens in an instant. Life is interrupted in an instant. We should love fiercely the people we cherish in our lives, because God could call them home at any given moment. We always think we have more time.
So wrap your arms around your Dad. Tell him you love him. Laugh with him. Enjoy every moment with him. And maybe make him a pie, because this year my pie isnt up for offer. My pie going to MY Dad.