Gary is on Spring Break this week and unfortunately it didn't coincide with Zack's Spring Break a couple of weeks ago, even though we did get to escape to Orlando a couple of days. So, his Spring Break is going to consist of alot of piddlin' (southern term) around the house, doing yard work, etc. Today he has spent the day with me and has been my chauffeur---which I love, cause I can talk on the phone and look thru files to my heart's content without worrying about the driving part!Anyway, we decided to eat lunch at Chick-fil-A (one of my all-time favorites). We got our food, sat down and were enjoying our lunch and the conversation, when a few minutes later, hubby looked up from his food and saw me sitting there with tears streaming down my face. He kept saying, "hon, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
It was a few minutes before I could tell him that a sweet, older gentleman had just sat down at the table over his shoulder. He had on a dark suit, was fidgeting with his sunglasses, caught my eye and flashed the sweetest smile, which I politely returned. Then I looked down at his hands and noticed they looked just like my Dad's hands. The floodgates opened and I couldn't control the tears that were spilling over as I longed to hold my Dad's warm hands just one more time.
A few minutes later, what appeared to be his adult son, joined him with their food in tow. I thought how fortunate for these men to be sharing this time together, and I prayed quietly that it would be extra special for both of them.
Grief is a strange thing. It comes and goes, and literally overwhelms you when you least expect it. I pray that I never get "used" to it, nor forget the softness of my Dad's hands.
14 sweet friends had to say...:
How beautiful. Don't you just thank God when he calls beautiful memories to mind? And it can happen with just a glance or thought. I'm sure your Dad must have been a very special man. I think those of us who have beautiful memories to cherish are so blessed. And how I feel for those who only have heartache and bitterness to remember.
Isn't it amazing how we can get sweet reminders in the most unlikely places? My son was born on my grandfathers birthday. He passed away several years before, but I know he would have been tickled to have shared a birthday with a great grandson! And that date will always be a special day for me for two reasons now!
Bless your dear heart, Tracey. You're so blessed to have such precious memories of him. He must have been such a special person.
That is a sweet story. I know I probably take times with my parents for granted sometimes, but I really try to be mindful that I don't do that. You are right about the grief thing though...it's the good and bad all rolled into one. You're dad was a great guy and you're lucky to have such memories of him.
I am crying with you. although I never knew your father's soft hands, I did know that he had a "soft" heart for others and spent his life serving others.
The memories just get sweeter and sweeter. I'm blessed because you have your father's heart. ILY
After watching the ABC program on the Virginia Tech massacre tonight and then reading your sweet post and your hubby's comment, I need a jumbo size box of kleenex!
Good post Tracey!
What a moment..I had one of these not long ago..Saw a man who looked just like my deceased grandmother...I know she thought I was a weirdo because I could not take my eyes off her. Blessings on you Tracey...
Bless your heart, Lisa! I know it was late when you posted that comment, but I think you meant to say "woman"!
It is a most unusual thing seeing someone or something that reminds us of our loved ones in heaven---it's overwhelming!
I had one of those moments, Tracey. At the last school where I taught there was a man who comforted me like an angel. He knew that I was very nervous about teaching there. He said to me, “Cheryl, you will love these people and you will like teaching here.” His name was Bob Tanner and in a few months he died.
Then the next year I had to fly to Colorado because my daughter was having surgery and she was alone. I had never flown alone on an airplane and normally would have been scared out of my wits. While I was waiting to board the plane in Harrisburg, a man sat down beside me. He was Bob Tanner incarnate with the same voice and everything except he was younger.
This man was a bit nervous. He had tried to fly to Chicago the day before but because they didn’t have enough passengers for the flight, he had to wait till the next day. Looking at his ticket, he asked me, “What do you think this yellow mark on my ticket means?” I said, “I don’t know, SCARY!” We laughed because it was just after Sept. 11.
We boarded the plane and I had no idea where he sat. When I got off the plane in Chicago, I saw him asking a question to the lady who directs people, then he went on. I asked the lady where my gate was that was the one for flights to Colorado. She told me to follow that man (the Bob Tanner guy). I ran up beside him and we literally ran together, running on the moving sidewalks and everything in order to get to our gates. We ran through three terminals together. Had I been by myself, I would have been scared to death.
When we got to the top of the escalator, the Bob guy went to the right and I went to the left. The plane was waiting for me. They escorted me to my seat and off we went.
I often thought that that man was an angel. I would have never followed or talked to just any man, but Bob was such a wonderful godly man and so was this guy.
God knew what I needed that day.
This is my favorite post of yours so far. Thanks Tracey.
did the man notice that you cried? i love that you have a memory of your dad like that. it's almost like you can close your eyes, concentrate really hard, and almost put yourself back in time, isn't it? even now, i can almost take a deep breath and imagine the smell of my dad's scrub top after he comes home from the hospital. it just makes me think, "clean, strong, safe." dad's are such a safe presence... how much more our heavenly Father. thanks for such a sweet commnt on my last post, it meant so much to me.
much love, friend.
erin
This brought on the tears I ust admit! My dad just came through open heart surgery. We had to think of the worst case scenoario. His age,his diabetes, this being his 2 nd time through this operation in 9 years. Thank God he came through with flyng colors and I count my blessings for that, but just yesterday while visiting in his home, I spent much time concentrating on his hands. My, how they have changed! They are beginning to get that feeble look to them. I spoke to my sis about it on the phone last night. She directed me to your blog, stating you had mentioned your daddy's hands!
Tracey, that was a very heartwarming story. I'm so sorry you lost your dad...and can't imagine how it must be. I still have both my parents & just treasure the times we have together & don't even want to think about losing them, even though I know I will have to face it eventually. It's so great to have good parents & I have some of the best too!
Rhoda
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