My Dad, he really is human............

I bet my "blog followers" read that title with much interest. Since my Mom's death, 7 1/2 months ago, I have gotten to know my Dad in a whole new way. First, I never really thought about what either my Dad or my Mom would do if something happened to one of them. But, I guess I thought my Dad, being the spiritual giant that he is and the wisdom that he possesses, would just pick up with his life and go forth. How crazy! Ministers have emotions and feelings just like everyone else. They are not above grief and hurt and need the same support and encouragement that all of us do at such a time.

I am NOT just now realizing the deep grief and loss that he has felt since Mom died, but have just reflected and realized that for a time I seemed to have forgotten that he is only human. To see him grieve the loss of Mom has made my grieve all the harder. I have wanted to do something to make it all better for him. He has often said to me in these past months that there is nothing anyone can do (outside of prayer and support), it's just something he has to come through. And, that's true with any of us.

It was about a month ago that he shared with me that he was beginning to feel the "fog lifting" and the adjustment getting some easier. I was so thrilled and have prayed earnestly for that to happen. I don't know that I can describe the deep feelings that I have for my Dad and the love and honor that I feel he deserves. It has done my heart good to realize that he really is human and feels and shares the same emotions as everyone else. I imagine that many of his friends have likely had some of my same feelings and have felt he was exempt from the real grief that others feel. I imagine their eyes have been opened just as mine as they have observed and shared with him over these past months.

My prayer is that the fog will continue to lift and he can find true happiness for the remaining years of his life. Yes, my Dad really is human and that causes me to love him even more.