Posted in Special Thoughts of Mine

Happy Father's Day!  This is such a special day, and I believe that all of us around the world should honor our Dads on this day.  My own Daddy isn't here any more (went home to be with the Lord after a prolonged bout with prostate cancer when I was a young girl), but let me tell you a little bit about him...

On a shelf above my monitor here on my desk is a picture of my Daddy.  It was taken on Christmas morning, and he's sitting on our old couch eating candy.  To me, this picture says so much about him!  For one thing, he loved to eat candy (maybe that's where I learned to do the same??).  Also, even though its Christmas morning (there are open packages and wrapping paper on the coffee table in front of him), he's already dressed in his dress shirt and slacks (although still in his socks and no shoes).  He's watching TV apparently--his focus is aimed right where our old TV sat (the kind that swivelled and had a dot when you turned it on that eventually grew into a picture--we only had 3 stations back then--no cable TV, no remote controls!!!).  He looks to be a man of utter peace and contentment--and yes, I do believe he was.

My Daddy came from Virginia--the Hills of Dan.  He grew up on a mountain, and learned the Appalachian way of life from birth.  This stayed with him all through his life.  He loved his biscuits and red eye gravy (you'll find the recipe for that over at Nanna's Kitchen--see sidebar for the link), and I still remember him pouring his coffee from his cup into his saucer to cool down enough for him to drink it (he liked it boiling hot, like my sis does).  He was a simple man in many ways, clinging to the simple pleasures and values in life.  I don't remember him ever discussing politics, but I'm sure he did--most of his children did, except me. 

Daddy was extra special to me, for he adopted me.  I was his granddaughter, and when the need arose for someone to take this newest addition to the family, he and Mama (my maternal grandmother) stepped up and took me in.  I was quite sick at 2 weeks of age, and they nursed me back to health.  Although they had already raised their family (they had 8 children), they were willing to take in a sick infant and make sure she received the care and support needed.  When I was 2, they legally adopted me, and I was blessed by this, and continue to be blessed.  It brings tears to my eyes, even now, of their sacrifices and hard work just for me. 

Daddy was a firm believer in the Bible--and did his best to live by it every day.  I remember when he was in the hospital, he took one of my crayons and marked key scriptures for me to learn and live by.  I had that old Bible for years until it was destroyed and unsalvageable.  However, by then I had learned those verses, and many of the ones I teach about today are those same ones! 

Not only did my Daddy instill his knowledge and wisdom of the scriptures in me, he instilled in me a sense of right and wrong, principles in living, morals, and family.  He also planted the seeds that grew into my love of Appalachia--telling me many times that I would live in these mountains when I was grown up.  He and Mama had moved to Florida due to their health, but it was his dream that his baby girl would live in these hills--and that dream has come to fruition.  Many folks have tried to get me to move away from here, and I admit there have been times I've been very tempted, but I still remain, and shall do so until the Lord moves me elsewhere. 

This bit of blogging hasn't even begun to touch on the whole man that my Daddy was, but just consists of a few precious memories I have of him.  To tell the whole story of him would require an entire book--which may or may not be written someday.  But I do pray that some of these few words about this most special man who made such an impact on me will reach out and touch someone this day--with encouragement to stand up and be the Daddy that is needed for their own child.  My youngest son grew up without his father, but the lessons I learned from Daddy enabled me to be one to him (yes, I've received many Father's Day cards as well as Mother's Day!).  Live your life by setting the example to the younger generations, stand by the principles found in God's Word, live with high morals, and don't allow anyone to lead you astray.  As you do this, you will find that you become the best Dad you can be!

I Love You, Daddy!

Hugs,

Cynthia Robin