Father's Day - My Daddy

As I join others today for Miscellany Monday, I want to share with you some of my thoughts today - Father's Day about my special daddy - William Porter Lazenby.

The definition of memory is that which is remembered of a person or thing.  How does one adequately express in words what another person has meant to them?  Many have tried - the themes of thousands of books - but are they adequate?  Robert Browning wrote:  "How do I love thee; let me count the ways."  But did he, could he?  We search for that just-right card that expresses our deepest thoughts, and invariably fall so short.

Our last Christmas with Daddy, 1993

After our dad died, my youngest sister compiled a book of "Our Memories" made up of written thoughts by many, many people whose lives had been impacted by the man we called Daddy.  One person wrote a short but apt description:

"He was a complex man and highly intelligent who thought deeply about life.  The world he left behind is a much better place for having been there."

Another wrote:  "We should not so much grieve that such a man has died, as to praise God that such a man lived."

 Our mother's contribution is so beautifully and tenderly written about the man she was totally devoted to for 50 years.

"Porter, a man! Gentle, loving, kind, patient, unselfish and yet so strong, uncompromising in his convictions, always hopeful."

 My contribution was a letter I had sent my dad for Father's Day on June 15, 1986, several years before his death.  I'd like to share that as my memory of this special man. 

Thanks Dad…

        for being a Christian Father

        for living before us your commitment to God first

        for the example of what servanthood is all about

        for your love and unquestionable devotion to Mother

        for the way you relate to others

        for always “being there”

        for keeping the channels open

        for what I’ve learned by your attitudes and actions

        for always communicating love

        for the twinkle of pride and respect I’ve seen in your eyes

        for the time you’ve spent with me

        for a sense of security

        for making me feel important

        for listening and hearing what I didn’t say

        for affirming me even through condemnation

        for loving my family

        for giving of yourself

        for that word of encouragement, arm around the shoulder, wink of the eye, not of the head

        for your smile

        for your sometimes strange sense of humor

        for giving me the ideal example of fatherhood

        for helping me to not be satisfied with less for my children

        for giving to us all the greatest gift one person can give another – an example of God’s love

        I love you Dad!

        Libby