The “C” Word – Day 306 (6-21-15) Happy Father’s Day

Today we got to experience something we were not sure we would have been able to 10 months ago – Father’s Day.  Ten months ago things were looking so grim we didn’t know if George would be here for this…. But… not only is he here, he is starting to be more “alive” and is looking toward the future.

As a testimonial to the Power of Prayer (POP) and Power of Faith (POF), George was the guest “preacher” at church today.  A while back he had told Pastor Rod that he wanted to do so.  He needed to wait until he could be a little less emotional about all that has happened.  He probably would have gone a little bit longer but Pastor is retiring in a week so it was going to be now or never.  On one level he is less emotional about the effect this has had on him, but deep inside the emotions are always there and ready to surface at a moment’s notice.  Some things are just not in our control.

I was able to round up the three daughters, a son-in-law and, of course, the grandkids – It was important to us that family be there for this special sermon.  I was glad that a few of his closest friends made it as well: Steve and Robyn, Cathy and John. 

He spent the past two months or so drawing up his outline, trying to figure out which points he would like to cover.  This was going to be a somewhat educational talk about appendix cancer as well as a few miracles that happened because of POP and POF.  He did a good job with his sermon today.  . . . Despite the fact that I was tearing up before he even took to the pulpit.  That didn’t help … but I couldn’t help it.  It’s just who I am.  I get very emotional when I remember not only the hard times but the times pure faith, the moments of relief, of joy, etc.  All of those together are very emotional for me. 

George was able to make a few jokes – even ad libbing about calling up “Mr. Google” and “Mr. Yahoo” in order to find out more about this cancer.  He took us on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, laughter and tears, during his 25 minutes or so of speaking.  Yes, some of the jokes were at my expense – especially when he spoke of me trying to get him to eat – eat – eat!  Among the “miracles” due to prayer were the fact that we found a surgeon close to home, that the surgery was given the “go” signal and that surgery was shorter than expected, that he was able to climb stairs before going home, and the biggest miracle of all was the sudden return of his taste buds. 

For lunch today a catered meal from Buca di Beppo (Italian food) was on the agenda.  It was perfect!  No cooking for the guys on Father’s Day (and also none for me either) – and easy clean up as well.  So we got to sit, eat, relax and visit for few hours before the kids all went home.  Addy and Bella got to play in the little pool and get some energy out before their ride home as well. 

Later in the day at home he asked what he did right and what he could have done better with.  I told him that he did pretty well.  Aside from a few facts that were incorrect, things only I would know because I remember, he got the point across at how this played out and how effectual the prayers were.  Of course, this led to a discussion about how the facts were wrong and it took me awhile to convince him that I was right!  (He could always go back and read this blog to confirm it!)  He said he left out a few things – some intentional, some not.  He was going to talk about why this was hard to tell his daughters – but some of the girls are in difficult places right now so he decided to omit this today.  A few other things he either forgot to speak to or decided he was running out of time so he would just have to table them for this particular sermon.

All in all, it was a good day.  George says it was one of the best Father’s Days he has ever had.  Mostly because he got to see all the girls in the same day and that doesn’t happen very often.  The fact that they were at church with him while he gave his sermon – priceless to him. 

So, we give glory to God that George is continuing to get stronger.  He is “tinkering” more in the garage.  While I was on my glorious vacation, he put up some spotlights in the garden and started to do some bathroom remodeling, including painting it and rebuilding the shelves.  He is looking forward to some vacation time when the twins are here to attend VBS week at church.  He is starting to figure out what he wants to do when he retires from his job (a time still to be determined).  At this point in time we are looking toward a future - - and that is a beautiful thing!