Father's Day

I have a lot to be grateful for on this Father's Day. I got to rest over the past few days without virtually anything being expected of me. My parents had taken my three kids camping, so my wife and I got to just relax and enjoy each other's company while they were gone. They were gone this morning, but they got home just as we came home from church, so I am getting to spend time with them.

Today we had hot dogs for dinner, which I have to admit a good wiener roast is one of my favorite dinners to share with my kids. We all have a good time eating one of the simplest and cheapest eats around. My daughter and I are spending time together getting caught up on "Dr. Who" episodes. I can hardly believe it is my little princess who has taken after my odd tastes in entertainment, but it is fun to have one of the kids get excited about sharing it with me. I just hope she will want to go watch chick flicks with her dad when she's a teenager. Hopefully the Sci-Fi tastes won't overwhelm the desire for the romantic. I am so looking forward to having someone to enjoy romantic movies with.

Later on the two boys will finish playing "Lego Pirates of the Caribbean" and we will all watch movies together. Then, we will cap the day off by making s'mores. I have bought some giant marshmallows that should melt to cover an entire graham cracker.

My children are all healthy and happy. They still want to spend time with me (I don't have to beg them to). And, my dad is still healthy and with us.

I cannot think about Father's Day, though, and think about my father-in-law. As much as I rejoice in still having my dad with me, I know my wife's heart is a little empty today because she can't reach out to her dad and connect with him on Father's Day. I also miss my dear friend, my father-in-law and lament that my children didn't get the opportunity to have a relationship with him. I know I was truly blessed because of his being in my life and would loved for them to have had memories of him as they grew up as well.

Today I am grateful for:

1. My wife
2. My children
3. All of the past fourteen years I have been blessed to be able to spend investing in their lives on a full-time basis
4. My 50 in HDTV that I am watching "Dr Who" and several movies with my kids on today. It is not necessary for for home entertainment, but it sure makes it a lot more enjoyable watching things on the large wide screen.
5. My large library of movies and television shows all stored, digitally, so that it can be called up at a moment's notice whenever the kids and I get the desire to watch a particular show or movie.

I could go on and on, but I am just really grateful for how I have been blessed and how I am able to make use of those blessings to enrich my daily life.