Dear Daddy ... I thought I'd write a note on this Father's Day, because it helps me remember the blessing of having you in my life for 36 years.If you were still here, I'd want to give you a big hug and thank you again for so *many* things!
Thanks for loving our Mom and being faithful to her ... and coming home to your family every night. When I was about ten, I remember taking off your work boots and fixing you a big glass of iced tea in summer -- or a cup of hot tea in winter. I took that job very seriously and loved doing it.
Thank you for being a good father who loved and enjoyed his children. I remember how you nurtured and protected me as I grew up and how safe and secure that made me feel. And, oh yes -- thanks for kissing my boo-boos (even though you made a big deal of kissing the wrong finger or knee, making me laugh and forget about how badly they hurt).
Thanks most of all for being a godly man who taught me about life, faith, hope, joy and peace. I loved the way you gathered us in the living room before bedtime and prayed for us all. Thanks for making the Bible come alive to us --- the rattle of Goliath's armor, the whistle of David's slingshot, the roar of a lion or the bleat of a frightened lamb.
Today, on Father's Day, I thought about how you freely gave me the love, acceptance and protection that all children are supposed to experience. This, I believe, is what opens their hearts to the love of the Heavenly Father. I know it did mine, and I'm thankful you were the one who held me on your knee and talked with me about trusting Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was a young girl of seven.
You are never very far from my thoughts. When I see a man with a full head of silvery white hair, it reminds me of you. Or how, when someone says, "It sure is raining down out there!" I think of how you would chuckle and say, "That's good -- I've never heard of it raining UP before!" And one other thing ... the smell of Old Spice aftershave still reminds me of you.
I think of you often and still miss you, Daddy, even though you've been "gone" the past 19 years. But I haven't lost you, because I know where you are -- with our Father in heaven. One day, I look forward to seeing you again. In the meantime, I just wanted to say once more, Thank you for being such a good Daddy!
With all my heart,
Your fifth daughter, Nan
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In memory of John Adam Keltie (1922-1991)
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