This photo, taken in Antigua in 1995, is forever in my favorites file. It captures the safety and comfort and well being my children feel in their father's presence.
My son posted this photo on Instagram today with the words, "Happy Father's Day to the man who taught me everything. Love you Pops."
This photo, taken just a month ago when we went to help pack up our girl from her sophomore year, is also now one of my favorites.
My husband posted this photo of his dad as a young, newly married man. Under it he wrote, "Happy Father's Day to the one who taught me how to be a man." My son, I now see, looks like his grandfather.
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Happy father's day to all these good men I am privileged to love.
Counting my lucky stars today.
You know what this made me realize just now? (And here the tears are coming again.) You made me realize that the effects of loving men travel down the generations and in picking good men, we have made more of them and we have made daughters who will marry good men because they know they deserve them and they look for those good qualities in the men they fall in love with. Although the harmful effects of bad fathers can last for generations, (and I am speaking here only of my own family of birth), those effects can be negated in one generation with one good choice. And I made that choice and thus, my children and their children will be part of that goodness which is possible.
ReplyDeleteAnd isn't that wonderful? And haven't you done wonderfully well in your choice? And didn't your mother? And your husband's mother?
May the love never end.
Mary, what a wonderful observation, especially this:
Delete"Although the harmful effects of bad fathers can last for generations, (and I am speaking here only of my own family of birth), those effects can be negated in one generation with one good choice."
Yes, yes, yes.
this is beautiful. Happy Father's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear C!
DeleteI couldn't wait to see which pictures you'd post. I love them all. Please tell your husband thank you for being who he is. Love, Kimberly
ReplyDeleteKimberly, and please tell the BHE that he is an inspiration to us all (in addition to being, um, very easy on the eyes). You like me have known many good fathers. We are so blessed. xo
DeleteWonderful and insightful, as always...I hope you do feel better...You have described the "unmoored" feeling I sometimes fight as well in your previous post. Thank You for being here.
ReplyDeletee, I've missed you here. I hope you're feeling less unmoored today. we'll link arms and keep each other from drifting away, okay? xo
DeleteA beautiful legacy.
ReplyDeleteVesuvius, it is for sure.
DeleteYou all are, I swear, the most gorgeous group of people I have ever seen! Seriously -- each of you. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteSJ, you look with very generous eyes, my friend! :)
DeleteWonderful photos, as usual! You're fortunate to have so many good, strong, positive men in your life.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I really am very lucky in that regard. It's why I just love Ms. Moon's comment, above.
DeleteThis made tears come to my eyes too. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Maggie. They are special men.
DeletePictures so quickly reflect to us the gifts that God has given us. Thank you for sharing your reflections with us.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, i know you share my feelings that family photographs are pure gold.
DeleteWell, this sure did make me cry. And I agree with SJ "the most gorgeous group of people I have ever seen." Which is born out in the prom photos of the next generation in the post that follows. I love all the photographs and the descriptions and the big beating heart that runs through this family.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, thank you for this kind comment. As for the big beating heart that runs through your family, your source, Alice, inspires us all.
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