Look Up, Be Happy…Father’s Day!

On this Father’s Day, Connor is in Heaven with John’s dad, Allan.  It has been 245 days since we last spoke.  I wish I could give John what he would most want this Father’s Day, but I know I cannot.  He will see our son and his father again, but it is nothing I can give him.  What I know to give, is my love, reminding him of our Father’s love and promise of eternal life, through Jesus.  The gift is the promise, that we will see our loved ones again.  Death is a temporary separation.  I remember my grade school gym teacher told me, as I looked despaired, you can do this one mile run!  It is only minutes of your life!  I ran it.  Thanks to that teacher, anytime something seems overwhelming, I’ve always thought…I can get through this, it’s temporary.  I have no idea how anyone can survive death, if they believe it is final.  It is difficult enough to endure time apart in years.  I would think most likely, it is a blink of an eye to God.

Your family is a gift, period.  Time spent together, is the best gift of all, on this earth.  It is both quality and quantity.  Nineteen years does not seem near enough for a father longing for his son.  Yet, nineteen years is more time than others have been blessed with.  There are many families that will be without their fathers for the first time this year, not that years make it any easier.  My heart aches for their loss, both young and old.  They would give anything to be celebrating with their earthly father.  I know that many of these families have faith, that their fathers are blessed, with glory in Heaven. As much as we try, it does not make their absence here on earth, any less painful.

We all have troubles, anger, and other hurts that may discourage us from being together.  Love and forgiveness is always the answer.  It is not easy, we are all sinners, but it is the truth.  Do not walk away from the family that loves you.  As you are celebrating, please remember those, not able to be with their loved ones. Open your heart or your home to them.  Pray for the father’s that are ill and struggling.  Pray for the family that may be saying goodbye soon.  Pray for Godfathers setting a Christ like example.  Be thankful to spend time with your father and always be thankful for Our Father.  Look up, Be Happy…Father’s Day!

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”  John 14:1-7

Uncle Tommy & ConnorConnor & Grandpa George Machino
John, his father, Allan and Connor 1996Allan Cunningham & Connor together forever