Sometimes Heroes Are Dads

Heroes do not always wear capes or scale tall buildings. Sometimes heroes work regular jobs and live ordinary lives.  Sometimes heroes are dads. My dad probably never thought of himself as a hero, but he was. He was my hero. He was my children’s hero. He took me in when he was on the homestretch of being done raising children. He didn’t have to take me in, and he sure didn’t have to fight to keep me after he did, but he did. He made me his, and he fought for me. That is a hero…right there…in the flesh. That was my daddy.

This is what he wrote on the wall of life…
He loved the Lord.
He took me to church every week.
He lived with integrity and character.
He took care of me when I was sick.
He provided for his family.
He loved me.
He saved my life.
He saved the lives of my children.
He gave us something worth inheriting.

This is hero stuff, people.

This picture was taken celebrating his 44th birthday. I love this picture. I love how he is holding me and looking and me and how happy and safe I am with him. This, my friends, is a hero. This is love.

Today would have been his 93rd birthday.

Happy birthday, Daddy. Sadly, we have missed 27 of your birthdays now. You were gone far too soon. You are missed every single day. You saved my life. You didn’t have to, but you did. You are a real life hero. You are my hero. And when you saved my life, you saved the lives of my children. You are their hero, too. I proudly talk of you to them and tell them about you and share wonderful stories. This is their heritage. Daddies like you don’t come along every day. Heroes like you are even more rare. You were my miracle. You were our miracle. Even though you are gone, you live on in our hearts. Because of you, we have a proud heritage, a heritage to live up to. You gave us that. We talk about you all the time. You would be proud of the boys. They love the Lord, and they have your goodness, your strength, and your character. Thank you for the rich inheritance of a Godly father. Thank you for saving our lives.

Happy birthday, Daddy.