Monday Moanin Thoughts #302 Happy Fathers Day 2018

Welcome to  an early MMT and happy Fathers Day 2018. For many of you tomorrow may be the first Monday Moanin in a long time where you can hit the snooze on your iPhone alarm. Enjoy the experience! Today, I think about all of the men who have influenced me in my life and I am grateful for their help. Today I honor two of those men. Of course I think about my dad, Don Hickey with fond memories and appreciation. He passed away in 1991 and I think of him daily. His humor, work ethic, faith, caring attitude, and his love of family and his wife Rose, has rubbed off on all of his 6 sons.  As my brother Bill said at his funeral, Don Lives! Another father that is a wonderful model for me is my father-in-law, George. He has been my other Dad for 28 years. He also is a model for me and he exhibits all of the traits I admired in my Dad. Above all he is the definition of a giver.  At 84 he is an avid golfer, loving husband and father. He gives freely in caring for his wife as she deals with the challenges of Alzheimer’s. Not an easy task but he handles it with grace and a strong faith. I am so lucky to have these good men  model for me what it means to be a father and a husband. Thank you so much.

To conclude todays MMT , I found this prayer reflection from Reverend Chuck Currie. Currie reminds us of the many roles and challenges that Fathers and others play in our lives. Have a great day and celebrate the good men that have influenced us in a positive way.

Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail. We ask Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.

This Father’s Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways – both big and small – they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.

So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles , brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.

For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and You. 

Amen.