1. My grandpa, Lonnie Edward Maze, Sr.
2. My dad, Lonnie Edward Maze, Jr.
3. and 4. My brother and nephew, Lonnie Edward Maze III and IV.
No, we don't have very original names for men in our family, but Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is more desirable than great riches" and I'm so happy to say that our family name is desirable because of the legacy Lonnie #'s 1 and 2 have left for my brother and I to follow.
My dad died suddenly in 1992 of a stroke and my grandpa died in 1999 of cancer. They were upstanding, good, honorable men. The kind of men everyone looked up to (and I'm not just saying that because they're dead now, we really did!). The kind of person who was moral and upright, who built a strong foundation for their families. They were fun and easy to love. I miss them a little everyday, especially on Father's Day. But after all these years, it's not the same kind of 'missing' them that it once was. I don't get overly sentimental, and I don't cry anymore. It's not really sad because I know they lived their life the way they wanted to, without any regrets. They were both Christian men and so we are comforted in the fact they are together in Heaven with my Heavenly Father.
However, I do get a touch sentimental when I think of my children, Madison, and Eddie not knowing them. My dad would have been a great grandpa! He would have eaten up little Madison (he really loved little girls!) But I can't even explain how overjoyed both grandpa and dad would have been to have known there was a #4 running around! Pure happiness!!!
And so now, I count it as my responsibility to tell my children, Madison, and Eddie all about their grandpa and great grandpa. I have many stories to share and they will grow to love them as much and I do. It is also my responsibility to live a life that would be pleasing to these two men. Proverbs 23:24-25 says "The father of a righteous man (woman) has great joy; he who has a wise son (daughter) delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!"
Raising children is difficult, I'm not a parent yet but I see the burden on the faces of parents these days who are trying to balance everything. My dad and grandpa lived in simpler times, but they also had what so many of us today are lacking...COMMON SENSE! I think I inherited a touch of common sense from them. They (and many others of their generation) just inherently knew how to be a good dad without going to parenting class and reading books about it. They disciplined (with a firm hand) and held very high expectations for their children. I know I'm a better person for having known them. I say all the time that I am a strong, confident, successful, single woman because my dad made me feel beautiful and loved me (and my family) so strongly that even today his presence fills our house.
So as I close for today, I want to say Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there...do dads read blogs???? Love your kids and spend time with them. Make your daughter feel beautiful and they will never go 'looking for love in all the wrong places'!
To others who are without their fathers on this Father's Day may you be comforted in Psalm 68:5 "A father to the fatherless", that is how God revealed himself to me after I lost my dad and it still comforts me today.
2 comments:
Amy thanks!
love your sister
This is such a sweet post. I love the tribute to the men in your life. You are definitely a woman of faith. I agree~what happened to good ole' common sense.
I'm going to tag you today on my blog~just haven't done it yet.
Have a great day!
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