Reflections on Father’s Day: What gift would you want for your child?

Nobody prepared me for her arrival. Yes, the weight of her tiny hand in my hand, how her gurgle melted my heart – these are all precious memories from 19 years ago. But the reality of the first few minutes was visceral – her blue-black body covered with mucus and blood, the pungent smell permeating every corner of the small delivery room. The truth is, I nearly passed out from that overwhelming experience.

So much has happened since that embarrassing moment and she has grown into a loveable and gorgeous blessing of a daughter. Despite the tragedies in her life – the early loss of both grandfathers and most significantly, her mother when she was barely seven – she was nearly a perfect child. She opened her heart to people around and was generous with her time, writing thoughtful cards to her classmates and friends in church, taking care and showering love on all her pets over the years, from a dog to three cats and a rabbit.