THURSDAY THOUGHTS - This Man Is My Father

Some thirty years ago, my life was really in a rough patch. My marriage was on rocky ground and despite much effort to save it, I knew the downward spiral was going to end in divorce. This was before the days of cell phones (seems Neanderthal doesn't it?) Long distance calls were expensive and every one showed up on the bill. I didn't want my husband to see lots of calls home to Utah. My dad had a WATS line at work so he could call me any time without incurring cost on his end. Oh how those calls lifted my spirits! I could let down and tell him what was really going on; not keep up the facade like I did with everyone else.

During this time I wrote a song to honor my father and this past Father's Day I sang it to him at our church. What a proud moment that was! I want to share the lyrics of this song because I think it expresses the feelings that many of us have about our fathers. they are and always will be our heroes.

THIS MAN IS MY FATHER

In the midst of my work load
My mind all a whirl
My thoughts wander back
To when I was a girl

When I got discouraged
Or when I felt sad
I found comfort and solace
In the arms of my dad

At times he was loving
At times he was stern
But I knew in my heart
He was filled with concern

A man of few words
But much feeling inside
I was proudest of all
When I stood by his side

This man is my father
This man is my friend
His love I will cherish
Until the end

Though he won't always be here
Some day he'll be gone
But his memory, our memories
Will love on and on

And still there are times
When I feel so alone
My heart fills with joy
When he calls on the phone

Yes I still get discouraged
And sometimes feel sad
But my spirits still soar
When I hear from my dad

This man is my father
This man is my friend
His love I will cherish
Until the end

Though he won't always be here
Someday he'll be gone
But his memory, our memories
Will live on and on