FEATURE STORY
Dad was 96 when he passed away, way older than any of us ever thought he’d live to be. He outlived his own parents by 20-plus years, outlived my mom by five years, outlived many of his younger siblings, and when he was gone…that number 96 became a special number to one particular person in our family.
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Gideon, who was 11 when his grandfather passed, asked to have the number 96 when he played sports. He was granted that wish and we all loved watching him play proudly, with his papa’s number on his back. It’s now been three years since Papa left this earth, and Gideon still loves wearing his papa’s number.
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When we began clearing out my dad’s house this past year, the boys loved taking Papa’s caps. But Gideon took several of his papa’s shirts, and even his Florsheim dress shoes, which surprisingly fit Gideon! (He’s secretly hoping his height will grow to match up with his feet size!) Gideon even wore these shoes to his band UIL competition a few weeks ago, where his school band got all 1’s (that’s really good!)
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But here’s another interesting story to add to the number 96. We took the boys shopping for new kicks at Dick’s Sporting Goods. They were looking all of the different styles, trying to get just the right shoe that they loved.
And there on the shelf was a pair of Nike’s with the number 96 imprinted on them. Why, or what did that number mean? We don’t know, but that was the pair Gideon boxed up and took with him, under his arm, as we left the store.
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One never knows what will stick with our kids regarding their dad, their father, their grandfather…when they’re kids or even adults, when that father is gone. My daughter loves my dad’s sermon notes. My son has a tiny golfer toothpick holder sitting in his kitchen that was Dad’s. I have a photo of Dad fishing with a big smile on his face. And Gideon has the number 96 in his heart, and on his back. In fact, many of us have a shirt with that number 96 on it that we wear to the ball games.
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I had a few friends lose their father this past year or two, one to sudden illness, one to horrible tragedy, and one to old age, and many more reasons. It’s heartbreaking no matter what age or how your father dies, and no matter if you had a good relationship or a stellar one with the man that you called Dad. It’s all so hard, this life and death thing.
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But here’s the thing. 96 is just a number, for sure. But it’s not, to Gideon and to our family. Fishing might be just a pastime we take or leave, but for our family it’s part of our heritage - we had an uncle that was written up in fishing magazines! Having a dad as a pastor isn’t everyone’s experience by far, but we all suffered and thrived because of who our dad was. And watering with a hose, who does that? My sister does. I do. It’s relaxing and amazing to see drooping leaves literally pop back up toward the sun after a little nourishment from our hands, just like when Dad watered his lawn every single summer day.
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If your dad is alive, note what makes him special or different. If it’s a strained relationship, pray for him, and ask God to love on him. If he’s a good dad, note the special things, take photos, admire him from afar and near. And if your dad is already gone, cherish those things you remember and saved and loved, or the little things your kids grabbed hold of, and let it warm your heart.
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Happy Father’s Day to all. And may we all remember the greatest Father of Lights who gives us all good gifts, and cares for us as the Good Shepherd, and loves us so fiercely we can’t even comprehend the width, breadth or depth of that great love. And yet, his son Jesus resides in all who believe. So believe, give thanks, and grab your own number or photo or shoes…if they fit…and keep living the good life as you step into today’s shoes…