More Than Just Another Father's Day

There are so many wonderful inspirational quotes reminding us not to take one single day for granted. For me, as for many others I guess, this concept fleets in and out of my mind.  I seem to need a reminder to do this. This past Father's Day, I was once again reminded of the pain it causes when you fail to "live your life as if you will die tomorrow." My father passed in April.  I did not know that last years Father's Day would be my last with him.

On Sunday, my daughter and I took my husband out and enjoyed a beautiful breakfast on the patio of the . Across the street I watched the flag gently blow in the wind and I thought of my Dad, a World War II veteran, a waist gunner on a B17 who flew his flag proudly every single day of his life. Also at the patio was an older gentleman, a Grandpa, with his family. He had on an Armed Forces T-shirt and a flag embroidered on his baseball hat. He laughed with his children and teased his grandchildren. As I left, I wanted to whisper in one of his children's ears, "Enjoy every moment...this could be your very last Father's day with him." I didn't do that, but there were tears in my eyes as I looked back at them.

We enjoyed a busy day, my husband and daughter ending it with a super soaker fight in the backyard that she won...there were smiles and laughter. Yet, throughout the day my thoughts always went back to last Father's Day and the familiar pang of 'if I only would have known' kept haunting me. Oh... I had wonderful times with my Father and have little regrets. I believe my Dad watches over me, I know he is proud of me and loved me. But this is not about that. It's about gentle reminders.  I need to remember to look at all the people in my blessed life and understand that time is what life is made of, and it runs out before we know it. I need reminders, maybe you do too.