These Hands~

These hands...

bounced a ball with his four siblings growing up in Cleveland many years ago.

worked in a dry cleaners through high school.

held a gun in basic training during the Korean War.

cradled four babies-two boys and two girls that call him father.

raised to accept Christ at the age of forty.

wiped the tears from his eyes when he received the call telling him that his second son died way too young.

patted the head of his third child and called her "Curly" as she grew to adulthood.

tightened a helicopter seat belt as he rushed to be by the side of his oldest son who was in a serious motorcycle crash in a different state.

dialed the phone each morning for a month and called his oldest daughter to pray with her as she woke up crying each morning due to her first broken heart in college.

signed the check for his youngest to attend the school of her dreams so she could fulfill her dreams of a medical career.

These Hands~

fold in prayer every day while kneeling by the family room couch while he prays for his family and God's direction in his life.

hug his wife every morning since their wedding forty years ago.

work at his estimation and sales construction job he has held for over thirty years.

swing the golf clubs on occasion with his son-in-law.

mow his five acres of grass every week.

clap passionately when the Detroit Lions execute a surprisingly great play.

hold books as he reads to all five of his grandchildren.

join in prayer with his wife and kids as he prays with them, and for them often.

lift a fork (on occasion) with his favorite dessert-a piece of warm apple pie.

plant a garden larger than the square feet of his home every year.

smooth the pages of his Bible that he has read every day since his conversion.

navigate his small sailboat through the swells of Lake Huron.

pass on great novels to his daughter who loves to read as much as he does.

These hands~ are celebrating their seventy-ninth birthday August eighth.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

You are an inspiration to many-and always to me.

You have lived what you believe,

you have given great wisdom, correction and love through the many stages of my life.

You are the father most people wish they had~

I am so proud I can say you're mine.

Love you~

"Curly"