There are certainly benefits of Father’s Day for Mothers. With a cold front of note sweeping across the Cape, it was not difficult to pamper Mike and enjoy the benefits thereof. While Mike stayed under the blankets, I nipped out early for some fresh supplies. Then after serving breakfast in bed, I hopped back in – and enjoyed my breakfast too. I had bought the paper and had one of those spectacularly lazy mornings that must be chosen when the weather is inclement. I had got up very early and put a stew on in the slow cooker, so all in all there was not much more to be done for lunch preparation. David came and celebrated with us. Stacey called and Mike had the right kind of Father’s Day.
I have to say I’ve been blessed to be married to this guy. I think one of the things that makes me feel so appreciative is that he expresses so much appreciation for me. Perhaps when we have been married for as long as he was single, that may start to wear off, but 30 years in and it hasn’t yet. He was 35 when we married.
Mike’s legacy to his children is unmistakable. He has passed on a great deal of sound advice when it comes to a lot of things. One thing I hear both Stacey and David say is ‘buy tools and not toys.’ That’s straight from Mike. He has given them sound financial advice and I am grateful that neither of my children are big spenders or shopaholics or brand buyers. They are both generous, kind and compassionate – I see those qualities in Mike too. Mike told them from a young age that he was not their true father. The first time he told them that, their eyes widened in surprise! He went on to say that God was their true Father and He was the One they must depend on. Mike was only their earthly Dad.
God chose Mike to pass on some spectacular genetic material to my two. Stacey got a technical dose of DNA – genetically wired to unravel complex detail and to think creatively and often completely out of the box. I stand amazed at some of the stuff she did. Stuff I wouldn’t even think of – Stacey attempted, most times with great success. I followed recipes – Stacey modified them to suit her needs, looking at the chemical make up of ingredients and understanding how easy it would be to substitute one with something else. She confounded the knitting club. When everyone was following the same pattern in knitting a bag, Stacey changed the knitting pattern to creative a different look to her bag.
That’s my girl – got oodles of her Dad’s technical thinking.
And then David got a whole orchestra full of musical talent via Mike. That and his athletic ability are all in his Dad’s genes. It’s amazing how certain gifts and talents get passed on through the generations. I well recall Mike’s Dad playing his mouth organ when David was 9 months old and David sitting on the bed rocking to and fro with his eyes wide with enthusiasm and curiosity. Not only was Mike’s Dad musically gifted, Mike’s Mom (Granny) was too and one of her brother’s was a musical performer. So to have a musician in the family, as far as Mike went, was not entirely surprising. It was me who got the surprise.
An engineer and a musician. What a surprise that was to me!
But regardless of the talent and gifting of our children, the thing that gives us most pleasure is knowing that they know that God loves them and that they are trusting Him.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
A very wet Father’s Day in Cape Town.
These are the days. I will embrace each one, come rain or shine.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂