Special dates - like an anniversary or birthday of someone who has died - are a strange thing. On the one hand, I rationalise, its not like this particular day I will miss that person any more - after all, not a day goes by without thoughts of him. Yet somehow everything triggers off emotions and memories of that person - these dates are more emotionally significant than I realised.
Strangely, today's date crept up on me mentally - I think I only remembered the other day, but on reflection, may be subconsciously, my emotions and fatigue have been feeling it all week. The challenge on days like this is to not fall into a pit of sadness but instead make a conscious decision to celebrate all that made that person who they were.
On this day last September, to mark Dad's death day first anniversary, we were in Spain on a family holiday. It was a wonderful time and on the actual day we travelled into Barcelona as a family; Pete wearing his shorts, Mum; his glasses, me - his socks; We looked around Cathedrals and I know Dad would have been in his element but the moment that most made an impression was when we were resting in a cafe for a drink and the performers (2 fiddles and a drummer) came and played a (not very well known) song which me and Dad happened to sing at his best friend's wedding. Dad had changed the words to fit the occasion - so creatively.
Last December would have been his 60th birthday. I always knew that would be significant but only realised the night before and to be honest I did get a bit resentful for an evening. I was touched and grateful to friends who, love my family nearly as much as we do and, spent time with my mum, took her to Southend and visited Dad's cousin who he cared for very much. The film Mrs Doubtfire was on in the afternoon and that was one of two movies he quoted a lot! "I am job" in a variety of global accents - a glimpse of his humourous side.
So there are moments of joy when we remember a character trait or a funny story and inevitably there are moments of pain - but through it all, particularly today, we choose to give thanks to our loving Father God for who that person was.
My mum will be with my sister and her husband tonight. Please continue to pray for her.
Today I have nothing special planned and a full day at work. But I will be buying and consuming watermelon (me and Dad shared a passion for watermelon in the summer) and singing today. I choose to say thanks for my wonderful Father - a most amazing gift to me for a whole 27 years. I realise how blessed I truly am.
