Fix it Daddy! How often have I heard my children cry out in misery those words? It usually happens after my daughter has applied far too much force to Barbie's head (Barbie is not as tough as she looks) or when my son has attempted to alter a figurine's natural intended movement. Fix it Daddy! It can be a daunting challenge to any father. This request has the potential to provide an opportunity for you to puff your chest up like a victorious general. It also has the possibility to decimate any ounce of self esteem you may have when you are unable to complete the task. I wish I could say that I am always able to "fix it". I admit I am not - do they have to make everything so breakable!? The reality is that fathers are human. We are all limited in some way or other. We make mistakes. We make bad decisions. We cannot always "fix it". Although these limitations are obvious to me it never seems to diminish my effort to always try to fix everything. This stems partly from my own desire to relieve my own children of any suffering that may come their way but it is also because of the huge shadow that my own father casts. He casts a huge shadow not just because of his slightly rotund girth (level of rotundness depends upon how many bakeries he visits for a prized chelsea bun) but because of the impression I always had of him while I was growing up. As a child I was very observant and would watch much of what he did and and listen to what he said. Through this observing I came to believe that my father had everything under control at all times. Regardless of the calamity that could occur during vacations - like flat tires or trailer issues - my father always appeared to be in control. If the cat brought a live animal into the house my father could deal with it even if he had to chase a bird around sans apparel having just gotten out of the tub. If during a hockey game the ref was unable to make a correct call my father would always graciously point them in the right direction after a spirited discussion (control may not be the best descriptor for those moments of education). For my Dad "fixing it" never seemed to be out of the realm of possibilities.
As I grow older and attempt to bring up my own children I find myself doing and saying the very things my father would do and say - although sometimes without as much colour. For many children to grow up and realize they are becoming like their parents often it can generate a feeling similar to hitting your thumb with a hammer. For me that is not so. As I realize that I am becoming like my father a sense of comfort washes over me and I feel blessed. Blessed by God that I was able to be taught how to be a man and a father by someone who even until this day has me convinced that he can fix all things or get them "good enough".
Today is Father's Day and I will no doubt consume a large quantity of red meat and while I do so I will be reminded of the huge shadow that my father has cast over me and I will think sarcastically "thanks dad". But what I really mean though is a genuine "thanks dad".
Happy Father's Day - I love you.
Psalm 23:22a Listen to your Father who gave you life...
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
In the Company of Heroes
I wish I could fly! Seriously, I wish and have since I was a child, to have the ability to fly. Not like a bird, although soaring the tree tops like an eagle would be quite acceptable, I wish to fly like Superman. I have always wanted to be able to cry out in my best and most regal voice " Up, up and away" and take off like a rocket. It probably stems from my desire to be a superhero - but without the tights - they are just too tight.
If most were honest they would admit the same desire to be a caped crusader - some perhaps even with tights. Imagine that you are the one who would be so capable and so sought after that when all was on the line - when the forces of evil appear to have the upper hand - when all hope seems to be gone - you are the one that is called. Some might gasp at the the thought or shrink from the possibility of all the pressure and danger. Some of us wish that if we were to be the ones who "get the call" that we would be equipped with X-ray vision, or super speed, or be indestructible or my favourite - the ability to fly. It's true. That is why the movies about Superman, Batman, Spiderman, X-men etc. all get great amounts of people that go to the theatres and watch them because they secretly wish they were like them. Reality says we are not.
If asked, most of us would say those guys and gals are just for stories - for entertainment - they are not real.
If we answered in that fashion we would be completely and utterly wrong!
I have just returned from Slave Lake, AB and for the last five days I have been in the company of heroes! Real heroes not like the ones in the movies that have to rely on all those super powers before they will get in to the battle - real heroes.
Slave Lake has been hit with one of the worst , if the not the worst fires in Canadian history. Houses and infrastructure destroyed in a gulf of flame that some might say originated from the pit of hell itself . A fire so large and hot that all that was in its path was reduced to ash. Who would foolishly stand in its path? Who would dare to battle such a mysterious beast? Who would be called to extinguish the appetite of such a monster? Amazingly it was not Superman but normal people. Normal only in the fact that they have no super power to call upon, no freakish abilities to rely on. Just normal flesh and blood people. Real heroes.
Who are these normal but by no means regular people? They are the volunteer firefighters that gave every ounce of themselves to protect the people of Slave Lake from this fiery foe. They are the police officers who made sure the town was safe from looters during the evacuation. They were the EMT's ready to respond to medical crisis. We may come to expect this type of behaviour from these professionals but they have fears and concerns like the rest of us and they too have families who worry much about their safety. (I know this first hand as my father served proudly as a Toronto police officer - thanks Dad.)
The list of heroes does not end with the emergency responders though. I was a witness of great acts of bravery from residents when they returned to tell their stories of harrowing escape. I saw young teens trying to act like they were okay when you knew they had been terrified only days before. I watched as parents whose houses had been destroyed tried to establish normalcy for their small children. I heard stories of complete strangers risking their lives getting elderly people from their homes. I was blessed to observe people offer their time to volunteer who had lost everything in the fire even comforting those who had not. It was a privilege to see these people muster courage and begin to rebuild their lives, their town and ultimately their future with surprising efficiency. Your fortitude and resolve is an inspiration. You are all heroes in some way.
Their days ahead will not be easy but I am convinced that from the ashes will arise a great tale that will be told for ages to come.
It was a blessing for me to participate in their recovery. The honour was completely mine as it it would be for anyone who found themselves "in the company of heroes". God Bless you all.
Philippians 4: 12,13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.
If most were honest they would admit the same desire to be a caped crusader - some perhaps even with tights. Imagine that you are the one who would be so capable and so sought after that when all was on the line - when the forces of evil appear to have the upper hand - when all hope seems to be gone - you are the one that is called. Some might gasp at the the thought or shrink from the possibility of all the pressure and danger. Some of us wish that if we were to be the ones who "get the call" that we would be equipped with X-ray vision, or super speed, or be indestructible or my favourite - the ability to fly. It's true. That is why the movies about Superman, Batman, Spiderman, X-men etc. all get great amounts of people that go to the theatres and watch them because they secretly wish they were like them. Reality says we are not.
If asked, most of us would say those guys and gals are just for stories - for entertainment - they are not real.
If we answered in that fashion we would be completely and utterly wrong!
I have just returned from Slave Lake, AB and for the last five days I have been in the company of heroes! Real heroes not like the ones in the movies that have to rely on all those super powers before they will get in to the battle - real heroes.
Slave Lake has been hit with one of the worst , if the not the worst fires in Canadian history. Houses and infrastructure destroyed in a gulf of flame that some might say originated from the pit of hell itself . A fire so large and hot that all that was in its path was reduced to ash. Who would foolishly stand in its path? Who would dare to battle such a mysterious beast? Who would be called to extinguish the appetite of such a monster? Amazingly it was not Superman but normal people. Normal only in the fact that they have no super power to call upon, no freakish abilities to rely on. Just normal flesh and blood people. Real heroes.
Who are these normal but by no means regular people? They are the volunteer firefighters that gave every ounce of themselves to protect the people of Slave Lake from this fiery foe. They are the police officers who made sure the town was safe from looters during the evacuation. They were the EMT's ready to respond to medical crisis. We may come to expect this type of behaviour from these professionals but they have fears and concerns like the rest of us and they too have families who worry much about their safety. (I know this first hand as my father served proudly as a Toronto police officer - thanks Dad.)
The list of heroes does not end with the emergency responders though. I was a witness of great acts of bravery from residents when they returned to tell their stories of harrowing escape. I saw young teens trying to act like they were okay when you knew they had been terrified only days before. I watched as parents whose houses had been destroyed tried to establish normalcy for their small children. I heard stories of complete strangers risking their lives getting elderly people from their homes. I was blessed to observe people offer their time to volunteer who had lost everything in the fire even comforting those who had not. It was a privilege to see these people muster courage and begin to rebuild their lives, their town and ultimately their future with surprising efficiency. Your fortitude and resolve is an inspiration. You are all heroes in some way.
Their days ahead will not be easy but I am convinced that from the ashes will arise a great tale that will be told for ages to come.
It was a blessing for me to participate in their recovery. The honour was completely mine as it it would be for anyone who found themselves "in the company of heroes". God Bless you all.
Philippians 4: 12,13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength.
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