June18, 2017:Day +209

What a wonderful day to celebrate Fathers.  Fathers play such an important role in our lives and I am glad that we have some time to step back and give thanks each year.  Doug was a really good dad today.  I had to serve at church and Doug stayed home with Trixie so that she would not be afraid.  He said, "I just want her to be ok."

Trixie

After church, I hurried home.  His Father's Day present included picking up some Payday candy bars for him on the way home, cleaning the aquarium, and preparing dinner for him, my son-in-law Tom and our family.  I also made a chocolate fudge cake, my Dad's favorite.  We enjoyed the afternoon, eating and visiting.   

Grandson Cole, taking a family picture with the selfie stick

Tom's dad got out of the hospital today after having surgery for gallstones.  His birthday was yesterday.  I am not sure that this is the way you want to celebrate Father's Day or your birthday, but we are grateful that he is recovering well and able to come home.  We were sad they were not able to join us for this celebration.

And so we pray.

God and Father of us all, we give thanks for your continued care for each of us and your presence in our lives.  We give thanks for the image you have given us as father, loving parent and teacher.  We give thanks for all the fathers who loving look after their children, teaching and guiding them. And we give thanks to the men who are willing to step-up and be fathers and grandfathers to children  who don't have father's in their lives.
Holy God, be with Doug in the week to come.  Tomorrow he will go for an electrocardiogram.  We pray that the results will show that his heart is strong and undamaged from the heart attack he had last winter.  In  your name we ask it.  Amen

Foster son Jordan giving Tom the Father's Day present he made for him.