It seems like just yesterday I was a little gal graduating from kindergarten. I was probably the only kindergartener there with a corsage – an orchid, of course – and I also remember the dress I was wearing as I am sure you checked and double-checked to make sure my sash was tied and that it was straight! Mother was in the hospital but you made sure that my night was perfect. (For those that don’t know, the orchid was yours and Mother’s flower and that is being carried down through the generations!)
Through the years, you did your best to be the very best dad a girl could have. From teaching me how to ride a bike to building a sandbox (house) in our backyard in Monmouth, from helping us make a “Congratulations” sign to show Mother at the hospital (that big banner!) when Mark was born to being brave enough to ride with me when I was a new driver; and from letting me know I was one of your three sweethearts to walking me down the aisle to meet mine … you have always been the epitome of what a father should be. You taught me courtesy and to always say “thank you” when someone opened a door for me. Oh, and you also taught me proper English … adverbs, adverbs and adverbs!! And the ‘may’ and ‘can’ and ‘well’ and ‘good’, etc.!
I remember special times … watching the Monmouth High School band practice across the street from our house when you pastored in Monmouth, Illinois, walking to Long View Park in Rock Island almost every night after supper and giving me under pushes on the swings, taking rides as a family and finishing it off with a stop at A&W where they had the mini-mugs for us kids to going ice skating --- well, we don’t want to remember all those times since it was on one of those occasions that Mother broke her wrist! We didn’t know she was pregnant with Rachel at the time!
I remember the trips we took across the country when you would incorporate a vacation into a trip to a camp meeting where you would be the speaker. We have photos to show that we actually threw snowballs on a mountain side and have memories of driving through South Dakota at night when we saw the eerie hue from Mt. Rushmore (that was spooky!) Those were the days when the interstate consisted of a winding two-lane road!
I remember the trip to New Mexico when we visited the Navajo Indian reservation and you and Mother headed on up the mountain to minister – and she came back severely sunburned. We drove up a mesa and it scared me to death – no guard rails – which brings another memory to mind – riding up Pike’s Peak in a car when I was just little! But those trips made wonderful memories!
I remember campmeetings and friends … and even boys along the way. And, of course, my three little brothers, Mark, Joel and Thad, who trailed after me. At times, perhaps I may have thought it irritating yet in retrospect, I really don’t remember feeling that way. It was just a given that they would be there – and I think if I would look behind me now from time to time, I would see those same brothers (now 6’ tall and taller) in my shadow especially now that Mother has gone on to heaven.
I remember thinking – rather knowing – that you had to be the best preacher in the world and I enjoyed every time you preached (except the time when someone put a calendar on the pulpit to emphasize that maybe your messages were too long – after which you shortened them – ha!!) All kidding aside, your ministry has been deep and far reaching. I loved the humor you always incorporated into your messages. And I will always remember the illustration of when I got lost in the store and you heard “Daddy!” and came running to find me – you likened that to our heavenly Father who is so alert to his children’s cries!
I remember you listening for our cries at night – I remember standing at the top of the stairs telling you I couldn’t get to sleep and you coming up to sit beside me. And I remember you taking the “night shift” role as Mother had the “day shift”. While I know that she would have taken care of us, I never remember her having to come to us at night – you are always there in an instant – even when we all got sick after eating pizza on my 16th birthday!
I remember when you felt the calling to train young people for ministry and we moved to Rock Island, Illinois. My memories of those days including climbing trees (I know – a little crazy) in our backyard on 16th Street and also out on the property where the Bible Missionary Institute now stands. I remember pestering students that probably wanted me to disappear at times and at other times used me to carry their love notes … ahem, Larry & Trisha Jewett!!
I remember when the administration building was going up and a guy fell off the roof. I remember friendships I made during those years that would last a lifetime! I know you question some of your decisions and wonder if you neglected us (kids) during that time but I think we were blessed by having a lot of friends around and I dreaded the summers when the students returned home!
I remember other family times over the years .. the pets you allowed us to have – from my cat, Speckles, to Tim’s dog, Rusty! And the ping-pong games. Even after all of us were grown and Bob and Allen joined in –what fierce competition!!
I remember our trips to Grandma Nelson’s house and how “Uncle Dick” was a favorite! And the great political discussions between you and Uncle Chuck! And our visits to Uncle Ben and Aunt Beverly’s house – your older brother who went to heaven quite a few years ago. You were truly the closest of brothers! And I know you have missed him so much!
I remember you telling us of your growing up years in such poverty. Then going off to service after getting married – married more quickly than you may have planned since you really expected to never return home as you were heading to the front lines in World War II. But, you did and found your way to Olivet Nazarene College (University now) … and then, I came along! I still love the photo of you and Bob Knuth campaigning for student body president and treasurer and you won and served well! Not that I’m surprised! And while Bob Knuth has gone on to be with Jesus, I’m so glad that his family continues to be close friends to all of us!
I remember how my friends all thought I had the most handsome father in the world! To me you were my dad but I’ll admit, I was rather proud that you were such a great looking guy!
I remember especially the day in September, 1964 when you called from the hospital to let me know I had a baby sister and I let out one great scream! I was so excited – and you know that I couldn’t have a closer friend than I do in Rachel.
The years have flown by and there have been tough times – especially when you said ‘good-bye’ to the love of your life a couple years ago. We know that while you are still here with us, part of you is with Mother in heaven already. And that is understandable since you were married for almost 62 years! You set the example of godly parents for us! We knew that you prayed for us daily – we felt those prayers and continue to feel them on a daily basis.
As I see you sitting in your wheelchair and at times having a very difficult time holding your head up physically, I still remember the dad that welcomed us into your lap … or letting us turn flips over your legs you had stretched out to a footstool. I remember you opening the car door for Mother and us gals … and always being on the outside when walking along a sidewalk. You were and continue to be a true gentleman. I see and hear comments on that when I visit with you.
I also see you now struggling over the past … and second guessing decisions you made. I admire you and respect you more than ever for coming to each of us children and apologizing for mistakes you made in perhaps being too rigid. As I listened to you share at the BMI reunion a few years ago, I watched as there was hardly a dry eye as you told of some of your regrets … yet, Dad, I see so many who are in ministry now who were impacted by your life back then. Did you make mistakes? Everyone does – but I never doubted your motive and your passion – a love for young people!! And please don’t every forget that! You have a depth of love not all people have and we were so blessed by being able to call you “Dad”!
Our roles are changing and in a way, it is sad. However, on a humorous note, I remember when I was a child and thought that when you turned 50, you would probably die and I was grieving that already as a child. But, you just celebrated your 84th birthday and I am nearing the 60 mark!
So, Dad, on Father’s Day, while you may be in a wheelchair and your body bent over so that I am now taller than you are, you are still that same giant of a man who tucked me in bed, who made sure the stray hairs were in place, who caught me when I was trying to ride a bike, who walked me down the aisle to meet my groom … and who has been an awesome dad and grandfather to our children. Your commitment to God and to your family is a great example of unconditional love.
So, thank you for being …. My dad! I am so very blessed and just wanted to tell you that again on this Father’s Day!
Love,
Linda
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