This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day. A holiday that my husband refers to as an afterthought to Mother’s Day. One that had to be created to be fair; one that creates difficulty finding appropriate gifts and one that is often underappreciated. 

My father was a potent influence in my life. He was blessed with 5 daughters in 6 years before a son was born.  He loved and valued each one of us, loving us as unconditionally as our Heavenly Father does. Instructing us and encouraging us to do anything in the world that we wanted to do. Not allowing us to let our gender or economic status stand in the way of our success. 

This from a man who enlisted in the National Guard at the age of 16 and was sent to the Pacific theatre shortly after to build airstrips for the critical sea battles of World War II. Then after completing Officer’s Training School, he joined his unit in Europe for the Battle of the Bulge. Absence from home and trauma of many battles took their toll on his mental condition. 

No one talked about PTSD for WWII veterans, but it was real. I saw the results in Dad’s daily life. Every day after work, he would stop at the VFW. After several calls, he would come home for dinner. Some nights were good; some not. We didn’t know what alcoholism was all about until we were older and more life experienced, but my dad was an alcoholic. 

 The one sustaining lifeline that my father had was his relationship with God. He went to church with us every Sunday. He demonstrated his love for God and belief in God’s goodness in the lesson that he taught us. He participated in church activities and ceremonies. He was a reader for years. He was the best example even in the face of much adversity. 

Most importantly, he died sober. His daily meeting was to go to church at 8:30 at QOP. He believed and accepted the value of the AA 12-Step program. However, he was reluctant to share his experiences with anyone but the God who loved him unconditionally-who loves you unconditionally. 

I loved my father unconditionally and will be forever grateful for the love and support that he gave me throughout the years. He died too soon, but he was able to appreciate all that he had given to his nine children and his loving wife. I thank and praise the Lord for the gift of my Daddy. 

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers real and virtual. Your role in the lives of your loved ones is invaluable and irreplaceable. Thank you, 

Terri