It’s Father’s Day and I am in northern Mississippi visiting with my stepmother. Last year on Father’s Day, I was on my way home from visiting her.
My father died 11 years ago this summer after a fall and a brief illness, and I began writing a year later.
My stepmother had been living independently in Mississippi since he died. Neither my father nor my stepmother is native to Mississippi, but they decided to relocate here after my father retired in 1998. It’s a beautiful town and they have a lovely home.
However, this past winter that independence came to an end after a fall and brief hospitalization. I am grateful that my brothers and I were successful in moving her into an assisted living facility before the COVID19 lockdown shutdown the country.
But life is full of next steps, our next step is convincing her that living in northern Mississippi 621 miles from me in Illinois, 621 miles from one of my Texas brothers, and 630 miles from my other Texas brother is no longer sustainable, especially in the time of COVID19.
Tough conversations. Much like the conversations my dad and I had years ago.
Life is full of twists and turns; it’s full of beginnings and endings where one ending is a new beginning.
In the eleven years since my father’s passing and the ten years since I began writing at MakingtheDaysCOUNT dot com I‘ve grown, learned, and changed. There have been a few endings and several new beginnings. I am certain there are more ahead. I went back in my time machine to look at my old posts, the links are below.
- Father’s Day
- Father’s Day and the World Cup (2014)
- Father’s Day 2011
- Day 23 – Father’s Day
- Father’s Day comes early
This past week the men’s bible study group I’ve been a part of finished our 2019-20 year. Every Tuesday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 we would gather. I was the youngest in the group and I was encouraged by positive faithful men. After the COVID19 lockdown we continued gathering remotely via ZOOM. I am grateful for these men who have become father figures for me, and I am mindful of a Bible passage,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
I know my dad is looking down on us all and he is thankful that my bothers and I are caring for our stepmom. Working on next steps.
Life is full of next steps and I better get moving and jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days COUNT, one day at a time, one beginning and ending all at the same time.
What are you planning to do (or did) this Father’s Day?