Also Post Here

Sunday, June 21, 2020

A Father's Day Moment




" My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived,
and let me watch him do it. "
CLARENCE BUDINGTON KELLAND


I'm missing my dad today, especially looking at these photos of the two of us. I don't recall this particular occasion anymore—I was three years old at the time—but I love how they make me feel when I look at them. In the above picture, I get a sense of camaraderie and intimacy. My dad crouches to be on his little girl's level; he holds her hand, and they are both smiling for the camera, obviously happy in the moment.

In the picture below, against that vast mountainous background, I still get a sense of intimacy, but with it more a sense of protection. Sitting on the edge of that timber fence against what looks like a long drop down, there she is tucked in, secure, her daddy's arm closely wrapped around her.





" I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong
as the need for a father's protection. "
SIGMUND FREUD

 
My dad was a quiet, reserved man and a man of few words. He rarely chatted about anything, never mind shared his feelings with us. And so sometimes I didn't feel what I can so clearly see today in these photos. Any little child that came to him, first me, then my younger siblings, and then any little ones who would visit often ended up on his lap, playing or snoozing on his chest, always welcome, always protected and cared for. As I grew, that place near him on his lap was overtaken by younger siblings, and I don't know for sure, but I wonder if I must have missed those times with my dad. For as I got older I felt he grew more reserved with me; it seemed he was his freest self with babies and toddlers; I saw that especially when his darling grandchildren came.

It has been a balm today for my own soul to take out these old black and white pictures and to catch hold of something I did not see until I was a lot older. I see afresh what the camera had captured sixty years earlier—a young father loving his little girl, who happened to be ME! And I hold that close to my heart, for today I am missing him.

I'll close with a spiritual musing. For these pictures have also shown me something about my heavenly father. That he will come down to my level—Jesus did that when he came to earth to be 'God with us'. He takes my hand and lets me know he is near. He also holds me close to himself when things look a little dicey and scary. I am glad to remember such a thing about Him in these upside down times.



* * *

" A father's tears and fears are unseen,
his love is unexpressed (in words), but his care and protection
remain as a pillar of strength throughout our lives. "
AMA H. VANNIARACHCHY



* * *

Happy Father's Day, dearest Dad. I love you!

Heart Hugs,
Brenda
xox




12 comments:

  1. I love those pictures! Though I was the firstborn, I don't recall seeing any pictures of just my father and me, until I was about 50 years old. There is a good one of him with a sister and me, which I really treasure. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are beautiful pictures of you and your father.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What wonderful photos and memories of you and your Dad. I see the love and care he has for you in his posture. ☺️

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful photos and I sensed the relationship between us and our heavenly Father, through your descriptive words of your thoughts about your earthly father. Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  5. The photo of you and your dad is lovely. It seems that fathers of our childhood were often reserved. My father was only 22 when I was born and my brother is just 14 months younger than I am. Dad must have worked very hard to support the family. 3 children before he was 27! I started going to church after many years when my father's health was failing. I felt the presence of another father who would care for us all and who would help us during times of loss.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love these old photos of you and Dad! What precious memories. xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved the post, Brenda. You have special memories, both in your heart and shown through photos. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful insights you have gleaned from looking at these photos with fresh eyes. I have purposely tiptoed around Father's Day. I'm glad that you are missing him today. What a handsome man he was, Brenda, and a good daddy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful post, Bren. Such special and wonderful memories. I loved your closing.

    Have a beautiful week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Treasured photos and memories, Brenda. So lovely. You gathered just what you needed from these photos - assurance of both your earthly and your heavenly Fathers' love.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love these photos of you with your father! You're right; these photos do show your dad's love for you! Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brenda, the photos are precious! I loved reading your thoughts about your father and it reminded me of my own family as I am the eldest of four daughters. I was too busy yesterday to reflect much on my own father and I think I'll get out some old pictures later myself and have my own special time with him. This was the first year that my mother was also in heaven, as my dad has been since 2007. I do love to know that they are together once again.

    ReplyDelete

To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo