Today would have been my Daddy’s 75th birthday. I always write about him on his birthday and reflect on his impact on my life. One of the qualities he lived and taught by example is giving.
Many times after he visited, we would find a $100 bill tucked away in some random place with his business card attached, usually bearing a bad money-related pun. We would find it days — in some cases, weeks — later. The last one I found in the freezer, and it said hard, cold cash. Groan.
A year or so before he died, Daddy decided we needed a piano and asked my mom, who sold real estate, to split the cost. He contacted a musician friend of ours who knew my preferences and swore him to secrecy. One Saturday morning, after my parents had spent the night with us, a man in a large truck came to the door and asked where I wanted my piano. As much as I had wanted a piano, I thought it was cruel irony. Until I saw the devilish grin on my Daddy’s face.
His lesson for us was that the kind of pure giving that the Christian life calls us to does not depend on the gratitude or perceived worthiness of the recipient; it does not require — and often avoids — recognition and seeks no reward other than the sheer joy of the giving.
Thanks so much – he did indeed – and he gave back a lot.
Awwww. Your dad sounds fabulous — like he took joy in his family and enjoyed giving it back. ;o)
Thanks so much – he did indeed – and he gave back a lot.
Awwww. Your dad sounds fabulous — like he took joy in his family and enjoyed giving it back. ;o)
Thanks so much for that – and consider yourself lucky about the braces part.
Yes, thanks, I did design my Web site – and am about to redesign it as soon as I catch up with other projects.
Thanks so much for that – and consider yourself lucky about the braces part.
Yes, thanks, I did design my Web site – and am about to redesign it as soon as I catch up with other projects.
I never had the pleasure of knowing your dad. I must have been the only kid in Jonesboro who didn't wear braces. I did know a lot of people who knew him and have heard wonderful things. Thank you for sharing him with your elequent words!
Great website! Did you design it yourself?
I never had the pleasure of knowing your dad. I must have been the only kid in Jonesboro who didn't wear braces. I did know a lot of people who knew him and have heard wonderful things. Thank you for sharing him with your elequent words!
Great website! Did you design it yourself?