I remember a certain Mother's Day when my mom took a trip to Arizona and the rest of the Wilson family stayed back in Grand Forks driving to Sunday mass at St. Mary's church. Our family walked into church (probably 5 minutes late) and searched for our usual spot near grandma and grandpa and the rest of thE Wilson family. Mass went on, Mother's Day blessing was said (how dare they, without our mother there!!) and we all made our way back to the car and drove home. We called mom immediately to tell her how CRAPPY church was on Mother's Day without OUR mother there with us!! We forbidden her to ever leave us stranded on another Mother's Day ever again, and she never did.
I think of this story as it is the 1st Father's Day without dad physically here to send some love over the phone or a silly email to his inbox and get some 'smart'ass response back asking where the hell is smart car is and what year he will ever get it haha
Mass today was nothing the like the story of how mom wasn't there that one Mother's Day and happily so it was a perfect time to reflect on growing up with Dad and the loving father that he was. I was thinking about all the years that I came home from the dollar store or from Kmart with some cliche Father's Day gift and card, a card that talked about tools, the remote, golf or cars and a little tissue paper wrapped tie that probably had some hideous pattern that I wouldn't see after that particular Father's Day. Dad was never the golfing, fix-it tool guy and he rarely ever wore a tie and if he did it wasn't one that was given to him from me on Father's Day :) He wasn't one of those men who spent all their free time in the garage or watering the lawn, in fact he actually liked to kill the grass so he wouldn't have to mow it. He was a Father that patiently waiting in the car on Sunday morning for mom and us 4 kids to pile on top off each other for the drive to church. a father who worked hard to support the family to always have 'food on the table and clothes on our backs'. a father who never missed a game or track meet even in our middle school days. a father who had the video camera rolling for proms, homecomings & graduations (and was really good at annoying us with that damn camera) and most importantly a father who taught me about my faith & love through his faith & his love. The most valuable knowledge I've learned has come from Mom and Dad's love for one another and their centered lives around Jesus' love for each of us. What I miss most about Dad is not being able to pick up the phone and ask him a question about our faith, he was my human catholic dictionary that said things well beyond a general explanation. So, today as I think about all the Father's Days I've had with dad, the phone calls and funny email exchanges, I am happy for Dad as he is spending Father's Day with his dad and with our heavenly father Jesus. I had 23 years with Dad, a short time in eyes of many, but those years of memories, love and wisdom will last the rest of my life. I am lucky to have had those years with Dad, as many people don't have that opportunity and I am forever blessed by that!
A couple years ago I asked Dad to email me the morning prayers that we would say every morning as he drove us to school, an every day routine that we mostly took for granite then but appreciate the instilled value of morning prayer now.
Dad's Email:
When the morning comes the songs of life begins...."Oh' what a beautiful Morning, Oh' what a beautiful Day...I got this Beautiful Feeling that Everything is Going Wilson's Way."
To really set the mood you'll need thoughts of a yellow nova with the sound of no muffler and the view of driving along and as you are passing street after street 'BEWARE" of this startling loud yell... "NOoo...... no no no no no GODs Not Dead He Is Alive!"
Oh' Most Beautiful Mother Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. I choose You Today as My Mother and Queen, I consecrate to you my enter being, everything of me and everything in me I give to you Mary, so that You may give me to the Sacred Heart of your Son our Lord, Jesus. Teach me Mary how Jesus may rule and triumph in me as He rules and triumphs in you and may I Love You and Honor You all the Days of my life. Amen!
Angel of God, My Guardian Dear, to whoms God Love commence me here, every day and every night be at my side to light and guard to rule and guide. From sin that stains Oh' keep me free and at my door my Helper be. Amen!
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen!
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy whom, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sins now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Just about now after prayers the yellow nova would be pulling up in front of the school and you all would 'quickly get out' as if you didn't want anyone to see you...Then I would yell , "Love You...Use your Talents Wisely."
The day and the morning life of the Wilson Kids....
Love You...Use your Talents Wisely!
Dad
I think of this story as it is the 1st Father's Day without dad physically here to send some love over the phone or a silly email to his inbox and get some 'smart'ass response back asking where the hell is smart car is and what year he will ever get it haha
Mass today was nothing the like the story of how mom wasn't there that one Mother's Day and happily so it was a perfect time to reflect on growing up with Dad and the loving father that he was. I was thinking about all the years that I came home from the dollar store or from Kmart with some cliche Father's Day gift and card, a card that talked about tools, the remote, golf or cars and a little tissue paper wrapped tie that probably had some hideous pattern that I wouldn't see after that particular Father's Day. Dad was never the golfing, fix-it tool guy and he rarely ever wore a tie and if he did it wasn't one that was given to him from me on Father's Day :) He wasn't one of those men who spent all their free time in the garage or watering the lawn, in fact he actually liked to kill the grass so he wouldn't have to mow it. He was a Father that patiently waiting in the car on Sunday morning for mom and us 4 kids to pile on top off each other for the drive to church. a father who worked hard to support the family to always have 'food on the table and clothes on our backs'. a father who never missed a game or track meet even in our middle school days. a father who had the video camera rolling for proms, homecomings & graduations (and was really good at annoying us with that damn camera) and most importantly a father who taught me about my faith & love through his faith & his love. The most valuable knowledge I've learned has come from Mom and Dad's love for one another and their centered lives around Jesus' love for each of us. What I miss most about Dad is not being able to pick up the phone and ask him a question about our faith, he was my human catholic dictionary that said things well beyond a general explanation. So, today as I think about all the Father's Days I've had with dad, the phone calls and funny email exchanges, I am happy for Dad as he is spending Father's Day with his dad and with our heavenly father Jesus. I had 23 years with Dad, a short time in eyes of many, but those years of memories, love and wisdom will last the rest of my life. I am lucky to have had those years with Dad, as many people don't have that opportunity and I am forever blessed by that!
A couple years ago I asked Dad to email me the morning prayers that we would say every morning as he drove us to school, an every day routine that we mostly took for granite then but appreciate the instilled value of morning prayer now.
Dad's Email:
When the morning comes the songs of life begins...."Oh' what a beautiful Morning, Oh' what a beautiful Day...I got this Beautiful Feeling that Everything is Going Wilson's Way."
To really set the mood you'll need thoughts of a yellow nova with the sound of no muffler and the view of driving along and as you are passing street after street 'BEWARE" of this startling loud yell... "NOoo...... no no no no no GODs Not Dead He Is Alive!"
Oh' Most Beautiful Mother Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. I choose You Today as My Mother and Queen, I consecrate to you my enter being, everything of me and everything in me I give to you Mary, so that You may give me to the Sacred Heart of your Son our Lord, Jesus. Teach me Mary how Jesus may rule and triumph in me as He rules and triumphs in you and may I Love You and Honor You all the Days of my life. Amen!
Angel of God, My Guardian Dear, to whoms God Love commence me here, every day and every night be at my side to light and guard to rule and guide. From sin that stains Oh' keep me free and at my door my Helper be. Amen!
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen!
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy whom, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sins now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Just about now after prayers the yellow nova would be pulling up in front of the school and you all would 'quickly get out' as if you didn't want anyone to see you...Then I would yell , "Love You...Use your Talents Wisely."
The day and the morning life of the Wilson Kids....
Love You...Use your Talents Wisely!
Dad
Beautifully written my friend! Brought a tear, some smiles, but most of all a gracious reminder of how precious our father's are and THE Father truly is! Thanks for sharing! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your dad and the wonderful woman he has made you in to! I love and SMISH you!
ReplyDelete