This one’s for you, Dad

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiastes 3:1

My favorite time of year is upon us. School is starting to wind down, the weather has been spectacular, and the strawberries are beginning to ripen. Those beauties in the photo came from my yard!

A few years ago, I bought four little strawberry plants. Because I really have no idea what I am doing in the yard, I planted the them behind the garage. Apparently, there are better ways to boost one’s harvest if you just, um, do the research. But even with my mix-up, the plants are taking over that patch of ground and we are getting some decent-sized berries, which are absolutely delicious!

June has always been one of my favorite months, and one of the main reasons: strawberries. For me, just going to our local farmers’ market is like visiting a small space in heaven.

Growing up, these little tastes of heaven were a mainstay in our home. With Father’s Day and my dad’s birthday about a week apart, it was a sure guarantee that something bearing strawberries would be on the menu.

Our family has a rough stretch to get through in the very near future. This will be our first Father’s Day without Dad. On June 25, he would have been 77. And just a few weeks after that will mark the one-year anniversary of his death.

It hasn’t been easy, and I imagine it won’t be easy in the weeks to come. I seek comfort in prayer, in my family and friends. I look for joy in the little things – my granddaughters’ laughter, a pathetically bad joke, a sunny day, flowers in bloom.

I found joy in the warmth of a beautiful and sunny day in May, picking the first two berries of the season, smiling at the little miracles in my hand: from the frozen ground to the leaves pushing through the damp earth, to the pretty blossoms to the berries in my grasp. Life, indeed, goes on.

So, Dad, here’s to you! I will consume as many as possible in your memory

… a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecc. 3:4

© 2012 – Lynne Cobb

12 Replies to “This one’s for you, Dad”

  1. Lynne – a very nice tribute to your Dad and that life, indeed, does go on. I found that the first year after losing Barb was the hardest. Every holiday or special occasion were hard to handle with all the memories they bring up. Your blog states a very positive attitude in handling this difficult time. May your faith give you strength during these times. My faith sure helped me!!

    1. Thanks, Bob. Your comments on my blog mean the world to me. BTW – when are YOU going to start blogging????
      God bless you! 🙂

  2. Lynn – I’ve been thinking of starting to blog, but wasn’t sure the best place to start and what topic to start with. Hopefully a light bulb with turn on in my head and I will be off and running.

    1. My advice is to jot down ideas and read other people’s blogs. My intention was to have a support blog for others coping with Alzheimer’s, but when my dad died, it turned more into a journal/therapy for me in dealing with his loss. I add in other topics to try and keep the content interesting. Since you have a blog space, you could start by doing an “about” page, and loading photos, etc. Think about content for your hobbies, interest, politics, faith, how-to and so forth.
      Hope this helps get that lightbulb working 🙂

  3. Nice post, Lynne. Like someone else commented here, the first year is the hardest. It is a cycle of “firsts” … First Christmas without Dad, first birthday without Dad, etc. I was very emotional during every “first” holiday without mine too. Lovely photo of your strawberries, too.

  4. Sending you good thoughts for the coming weeks. The first year you lose a parent is so hard. Enjoy the strawberries. Somewhere up there your dad is smiling back at you. Thanks for popping by my blog!

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