My dad would’ve been 102 today, but he went to heaven at the very early age of 61. I think about him often now, especially as I near the late years of my own existence. Dad was one of four children. His father left the family when dad was just a young boy, leaving him with the responsibility of helping to raise his siblings. As a father, he was stern, but never laid a hand on me. His form of punishment was silence and disappointment. However, he was a good dad. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was facing many of his own insecurities as I was growing up. Happy birthday in heaven, Dad!
I have a memory of him that turned into an article about parenting. Here it is:
The kitchen door holds stains from little fingerprints, though children no longer dwell there. You can see lines on that same door, where we stood to be measured each year. The room always had the smell of something good cooking, along with the cigarette smoke that curled above my dad’s head. I remember him sitting on a coral-colored, chrome chair, behind the newspaper, as he ate his breakfast. He was often hidden behind that paper. Maybe he did so to shut the world out for a while. Maybe he simply needed some alone time. Maybe he was sincerely interested in world events, but to me that paper was a shield. It was a way for him to close himself off from me and the rest of my family.
Do we do the same thing with our children? Do we shield ourselves from reality by hiding behind a computer screen or glued to a cell phone. I heard a story recently of a teacher who assigned her class to write an essay on what they would most like to be. When she read them, she found one that stood out more than the others. The child said he wished he was a cell phone, so his parents would pay as much attention to him as they did with their devices. She discovered that the essay was written by her son.
How much have we become slaves to technology? It’s really not much different than my father’s newspaper was for him. Those precious moments that we spend in another world, often becomes our reality. We get so wrapped up in it that we exclude the important things in life. I am totally guilty of this. I have many people to reach out to through social media. I often become so involved in their lives and their problems that I forget to nurture my own family.
Dear, God, as technology becomes a way of life for us, help me and all my friends and family realize what’s truly important in life. To walk with You, to read and study Your Word, to relate to others in a positive way and to share Your Good News where and when I can. Amen!
atimetoshare.me 
Your dad was a very handsome man. You have his smile. Very wise words in your post, I also saw the post you were talking about the cell phone on Facebook and it touched me as well. There is no better way to say I love you to our family members that being present when they are present. Thank you for this post
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Thanks for your comment. I miss my dad so much. He was a blue collar man with a thirst for knowledge. He did many extra jobs so that my sister and I could have the benefit of a Christian education❤️
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Again, something I am trying to change too. Here I am commenting…when I should not be here. I am kidding. I am trying to stay away from technology at night when I go to bed by reading my book. My father was 67 when he passed away.
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It’s hard losing your father at such a young age. At least mine got to meet two of his three grandchildren before he passed. I know they would all have loved him.
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Pingback: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD — by Kathy Boecher – A Blog About Healing From PTSD
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
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Thank you, Clyde.
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Hey, happy birthday to your dad. I just landed to your post. I lost my dad last year only and could recapture all the great memories with him. Indeed his silence had a lot to say. Really technology has faded the relations. I got a kick to be good father to my son. Loved your post. God bless you.
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Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your kind words.
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I am always a day late and behind on my reading. You have your Dad’s smile, a really good one. Happy velated birthday for him.
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I know. It’s hard to keep up with all of my favorite bloggers. I still consider you a dear friend 🥸
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And I you.
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