He Called Me "Tink"

He called me "Tink". 

Not one to show emotions or say endearing words.
Later it was thunder thighs.
His way of showing; teasing; by doing. 

A new deck. 

Remodel a room. 

My go between in a volatile relationship with mom.

Each week a different city for his job, he clocked many miles on his car. 

But he made it for my concerts. Showing up to surprise me. 

Fishing trips. 

Last minute Christmas shopping for mom. 

Drinks and hot dog night at the Yacht Club

Planning moms surprise 40th birthday party. 

Talking on the boat as we listened to the clips keep time on the masts. 

Now, we eat popsicles and read jokes.

We watch Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and NCIS.

The memory thief  creeping in. 

Our conversations on the phone, repetitive.
A steady cadence I have grown to love.
This man who provided and loved in his own way.
His dad gone when he was 12.
Staunchly concerned about our image;  good grades.
Kind words.
Work hard.
Keep your nose clean, he would say.
Into everyone's life a little rain must fall.
He went to a different church.
But drove us to our Sunday School every week without fail.
No options.
No discussion.
I am grateful for that. 
We'd come home to Sunday dinner at it's finest.
Roast, potatoes, carrots.
Rolls.
We'd gather in the dining room.
I think back as to how he must have needed that time alone at home.
His home.
The home my mom meticulously care for.
His cooking; a way of serving. 

Chin up, Shoulders straight, Fly right,  He would tell us.
No matter how rough it gets.
God balanced the sweetness of mom with the practical of dad.

Dad's best advice to me was, marry your best friend. 
And I did. 
I inherited a Father in Law that words can not describe.
His love and devotion to his family beyond all things.
We miss him dearly.
His work ethic like none I have ever seen. . .
except in my husband. 

I have been blessed by a wonderful earthly Father and a devoted Father in Law.
God went further to allow me the gift of  watching my husband with his children.
Through the loss of a child; birth of a granddaughter and, the ravages of cancer and depression;

 I fall to my knees in awe and appreciation.
There stands a Godly man.

A Godly example of strength in the midst of grief.



Grit in the midst of cancer.
Faith through it all.

We have received much. 
Happy Father's Day;  Dad, Clayton and Gary.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance 
about what we do not see.