REFLECTIONS
Featured writer, Patty Zemanick
A
Father's Love
In
the fall of 1995 my father gave me a special gift. It was so meaningful
I knew I had to put my feelings down on paper – so I would never forget.
Each autumn since then those words have carried me to the past and for
a moment I am opening the gift once more and reminded of my father’s love.
As I share these thoughts with you today, perhaps you’ll find yourself
remembering your own father…
********************
--October
1995--
In Binghamton,
New York I was raised with my five brothers and sisters. We lived
in the country with an incredible view of valleys and rolling hills.
Best of all, we were completely surrounded with trees – glorious trees.
In the fall of the year the leaves were magically transformed into unique
pieces of art -- God’s handiwork. The colors were magnificent… the
deepest reds and the brightest yellows. The hills were alive with
color. To stand amidst this beauty is something that must be experienced
to be understood.
The other
day I called my father in New York. I told him how much I missed
being home in the fall (it just wasn’t the same here in Dallas).
I knew he would understand. This is a man with a true love for nature
and his surroundings, second only to his love for his family. Dad
was always good at combining these two passions in an effort to express
his feelings. He wasn’t the type of man who was comfortable saying,
“I love you,” but we always knew he did.
I suppose
that’s why I wasn’t surprised to receive a small, thin package in the mail
– just days after visiting with him on the phone. The box was carefully
wrapped with brown paper and thoroughly taped – as if the package contained
something extremely valuable. I lifted the lid from the box and beneath
the tissue paper was a photograph Dad had taken of trees and hills at the
peak of autumn. The picture was nestled among the most beautiful
leaves… red leaves, yellow and orange leaves. Below this there was
a carefully cut piece of paper separating another photograph and more leaves.
Unbelievably, under that was yet another layer of leaves and pictures.
I was amazed at how many leaves he was able to fit into this small package,
with each leaf arriving in perfect condition.
I began
looking through the package for a note he might have included. None
was to be found. I quickly understood that although his message wasn’t
written – it was there. Through his gift I knew what he was saying…
“My precious child, I care about you, I’m thinking about you and I love
you very much.”
As I
looked at the photographs and each leaf individually, tears were rolling
down my cheeks. It wasn’t just the autumn leaves that I had been
missing – I had been missing my Dad too and somehow he sensed that.
My heart was full as I envisioned my father walking among the leaves, carefully
selecting just the right ones to send to me. This gesture… this loving,
quiet gesture so touched my heart – I knew this was a moment that would
be etched in my memory forever.
********************
Sometimes
I forget that God is a “Dad” too. Without even realizing it,
we pick up the phone and call our heavenly Dad all the time (through prayer)
and His line is never busy. Like our earthly fathers, God is always
there for us. He waits patiently for our call. He listens to
us, consoles and encourages us. Then out of love He responds to our
needs in the most amazing ways. God may not send a package of leaves
in the mail… but He gives us glorious rolling hills drenched in the colors
of autumn. Thank you God for loving us, for blessing us with fathers
here on earth and for being such a great Dad!
Patty
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