Early this morning I sat on my patio amidst a spring/summer rain storm taking in the sights and sounds… wrapped in a blanket with a hot cup of coffee. Our birdhouse hung quiet and seemingly empty. After a time, Dad swooped in and landed on the birdhouse perch. For the past two weeks that would have brought hungry and noisy babies to the hole searching for food. This morning the hole was quiet. Dad sat there very still, then looked in the house and all around. No babies. After 16 days of life, they have flown the coop. He seemed a bit distraught and worried, yet I sensed calm satisfaction.
Ironically, today is Father’s Day. I guess he can feel good about raising up his babies and helping them become independent and able to be on their own.
Today is a day for Father’s to be honored and remembered and celebrated. For some, today is a happy, joyous day. Strong relationships with their father/children allow this day to be a day of celebration with or without. Memories old and new surface and happiness fills the air.
For others, today brings great sadness and heartache. Father’s lost…relationships tarnished or lost. Hurt and regret and sadness cloud the day. I can think of three friends that are grieving the loss of their fathers in the past year and for one, the past two weeks. While good memories are there, they are buried deep underneath the sorrow and grief that hang low in the air right now. For some, there are no good memories… only hurt and pain.
I think about the fathers that are suffering today. Lost relationships with children. Current relationships that are difficult and challenging… all the while testing that deep unconditional love of a father. My heart is heavy for them today.
As I’m watching people around me rejoice and struggle, I’m brought to my knees with my own grief and sorrow and joy. I am clinging to the hope for all of us… the hope of our heavenly father. Our unconditionally loving father. Our eternal father.
Much like the father bird this morning, He perches up in heaven watching out for us. Coming back to see if we are there. If we are okay. He coaxes us out of the birdhouse when we need it. He protects us when we are out and on our own. He brings us food when we are hungry and can’t find it ourselves. He is constant…
Earthly fathers can only give what they have been given. For some that is greater than others. The roll of a father is precious and difficult and bittersweet. Today my heart is yearning for every father to feel loved and valued and honored and cherished… not only by earthly beings but also our father who art in heaven.
Thoughts and Reflections on Life 
Thank you for such an insightful post today!!