Epic Eight...plus one!: fathers...earthly and heavenly

well, this doesn't happen often, now does it?? :) it has been several years now since i sat to jot down a second post within a week. no time mostly, but this week i felt the urge to compile a father's day mention after viewing the most adorable video ever. the video, in all its sweetness, will be linked at the end (did i mention it is adorable??!). so read on and click the link at the bottom for an overdose of cute and truth and joy all within just a couple minutes. pure delight, i promise.

as i was saying, this video i saw online got me to thinkin'. about fathers. earthly fathers and my heavenly father. and how the men closest to me are a human display, however imperfect, of love that is loyal and steadfast and true. a presence in my life, from my beginnings as a small baby girl to the adult woman i am today, that models the amazing way my heavenly father loves me. of course, our human condition means we are all flawed, and not a father (or mother) exists that hasn't let down their child in one way or another. overall, however, i have the amazing privilege of witnessing multiple men around me....my own dad, my father-in-law, my husband, my brother, my male friends....all slugging away at the role of "dad", doing their obvious best to honour their families with a solid commitment and authenticity and character and selflessness. how many people can say that has been their experience? it is one of the most intangible and cherished life gifts i've been given. it has formed my core, shaped my overall life perspective and carved a security for my future. i am immensely blessed.

to you, Jeffrey :), i am in awe of your beautiful compassionate heart. as i see the display of love you offer to the vulnerable ones around us, most recently the baby we've been blessed to care for, i am moved by the sacrificial way you are "all in". less hesitant than even i to invest in the hard ways. to show fatherly love to those in need and embrace all the challenges that come with the task. by far your most attractive quality, and the list is long (just ask you, right? :)) i always knew you were a keeper. i'm happy to have kept you.

to those without a father figure in their life, to those who have only known hurt and rejection and pain from the hands of their father, my heart aches for you as Father's Day approaches. it is difficult for me to process how such disappointment exists for so many. i can only imagine the void that leaves in your heart and life...it isn't fair. it isn't right. we were never meant to live in a fallen world where fathers let down children. i'm so sorry you carry this load. the beautiful hope contained in the short video clip below (which is sooooo adorable!!! :)) is that God, your heavenly father, wants to be that steadfast immovable presence in your life. your "go to", your lifeline, your father to trust and lean on. He has been so in my life~ and i wish the same for you...
so thanks to all the earthly dads who are kickin' it each and every day, thank-you God for your unconditional love and care in my life~ for all the ways i see and even the ways i cannot see.
and, a few pics of some awesome dads who i love to the moon and back...

they constantly offer their expertise to us, as a busy family. gardening, pruning, rolling the lawn, washing windows, fixing screens, making the exterior of our home look pretty, etc...