Happy Father's day - I can still remember.
Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:54PM 
Tonight I have been pondering the paradox of parenthood - such great joy, but at times great sorrow.
I cannot imagine my life without my children Courtney and Liam. Their lives are a gift to me. I love them with an all consuming love that has the capacity to put every other experience on a pail and distant horizon. Not a day goes by where I do not pray for them. Yet sadly even this love is not perfect. I work too much, I am far too impatient, I sometimes struggle to respond appropriately with joy, and often react with undeserved anger because I am stressed and under pressure. But, they love me! And that is enough.
I love the fact that my daughter is still proud of her dad (although the other day when I was invited to speak at her school assembly she did gently ask me if I could do my best to 'walk properly' - I suppose my limp embarrasses her! Ha ha! I could not walk properly, so I asked the headmaster to mention that Courtney's dad had recently had a motorbike accident. She smiled.) As for Liam, I cannot say how thankful I am that he is alive. His short life almost ended a number of times in those early days. I have never prayed so much in all my life! Megan and I still fast every Friday for all children and parents in need. It is a joy.
So, I thank God that I am a father.
Today, however, I also thank God that I am a son. I was born to Donald Ian Forster and Karyn Forster way back in 1972 (the picture shows my dad a few months before his death). This year is the first year in which I shall celebrate Father's day without my dad - he died on the 31st of December 2007. Today I thank God for his love, patience, guidance and nurture.
Happy Father's day dad. I miss you.
Reader Comments (2)
I chuckled at your comment about the limp. Matt walked in and asked what I was laughing about and I said: "I'm laughing at uncle Dion". He asked me to see a photo of you.
Then he said "That's MY dad"
Happy father's day.
My dad lives in the states and I'm not sure when fathers day is over there. Wouldn't matter though as I always forget like he forgets my birthday. I think it's sort of a fair arrangement.
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