When you are "fatherless", Father's Day is tough....

I'm a fatherless daughter. The reality of that hit me smack in the face early in the morning of November 18, 2015, it was less than 24 hours after I turned 45. My baby brother called me while he walked in the rehab facility where my dad was and we both heard the nurse say he was gone.  God called my dad home in the early morning hours afters after my birthday.

Thanks to my little brother, my dad called me that morning. He greeted me with all the energy he could surmise and he said, as he did for every birthday I can remember, "Happy Birthday Tina Marie!" Those were the last words I would hear from him and I'm grateful I heard them.

So, Father's Day, the week leading up to Father's Day, the card aisle at Walgreens, the TV commercials, I hate them. To put it bluntly, they suck. Father's Day is tough and I know I am not alone.

Some of you don't know your dad at all. Others have a toxic relationship with your dad. Maybe you feel abandoned that he left when you were young. Some are experiencing their first Father's Day as a "fatherless" daughter or son. Maybe it's the 10th Father's Day you are spending without your dad. Or, perhaps you haven't talked to your dad for years for reasons you can't even remember. It all adds up to the fact that it's a lonely day, a sad day, and a day to endure.

This is my second "fatherless" Father's Day and it's not as painful as last year. I don't know why. As I have said before, grief is a nasty beast. You never know when it will attack. Last year, I could not walk down the card aisle at Walgreens; it literally knocked the breath right out of me. This year has not been as bad. Thursday was hard, I was "out of sorts." You know the feeling, nothing seems right. Then I remembered it was the Father's Day week, and nothing would ever feel "normal" again. After a loss, you are different.

I have remembered a lot today. He did everything BIG, he was bigger than life. I remember his smile, his laugh, his love for his children and grandchildren, his love for his mom and brothers and sisters, his love of good food and a cold drink. But mostly God has reminded me that he is my Father. He was my first Father and my forever Father. He will never leave or forsake me. I love this Bible verse, it's a great reminder.

God will never leave you, abandon you or forsake you. He is the greatest

Father you could ever have. If you too are feeling lonely today, I encourage you to talk to your Father. He is waiting. He is there. All you have to do is say hello, He knows your voice. He knows your pain, He will heal your broken heart.

Happy Father's Day in heaven Pops. You will forever live in our home and in our hearts. I can not imagine the celebration you are having with your heavenly Father and your dad today. Thank you for loving us BIG!!!!

#luvlivebig

Grace and Peace, 

Misty