Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: fathers (06/06/05)
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TITLE: Father's Friday | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Ouellette
06/09/05 -
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It is that time of year that I dread, when my son’s school holds their special Father’s Friday. It is one day of the year that the kids get to bring their dads to school. I feel it is so unfair to have a day like this, especially for families such as ours.
I know we are not the only ones who feel that days like these are so unfair. Many children have lost their fathers for many different reasons. As you know in our case like so many others, my son never knew his father. He died while serving the UN Peace Keeping Forces in a foreign land. I thank you so much for taking him home to be with you, instead of the painful experience he would have had if you had left him behind. It hurts and we miss him so much, but I am grateful just the same.
Right now my son is sitting in his room crying because he can’t take his daddy to school like all the other kids. He has pleaded with me to let him stay at home, like I did the last two years. It hurts so much to see him in such pain every year.
Lord, this is why I am talking to you right now. I don’t know what I should do. Should I tell him he has to go or should I keep him home again? It would be so cruel to make him go and see all those happy kids and their dads, while he has to sit on the sidelines and feel so left out. Yet is it right to keep trying to shelter him from something he has to face sooner or later. I realize he has to learn to cope, but why do these things have to be so painful for a child so young?
Lord, I am coming to you for your guidance. Please tell me what I should do? How I can help my little boy?”
In my mind I heard a voice, “Who am I my child? You go on home and hug your child, then leave this problem to me.”
In the morning I walked my son to his classroom. “Do you mind if I stay a little while. I am concerned about Bobby and need to be sure he will be ok.” I asked the teacher. “That’s fine, why don’t you go and sit beside him. You can stay for the day if you like.”
Each child in the class got up with their dad to speak in front of the class. They shared some stories of the favourite things they like to do together. I cringed when the teacher called to Bobby.
With my heart in my throat I went to stand up too, but Bobby smiled and said no. I was so scared for him, but stayed in my chair and watched my little boy walk slowly to the front of the class.
His little hands where firmly implanted in his pockets. “Hello my name is Bobby. My real daddy couldn’t be here today because he is in heaven. But even though you can’t see him and neither can I, I do have a Father here in this room. He is special and never leaves me. He is always there to listen. He loves me even when I am bad and sometimes tells me what to do. He is our Heavenly Father, God of the entire world. If you close your eyes and believe, I know you will feel his hugs too. Thank you.”
With tears of joy I hugged my son, then turned and left the room. “Thank you Jesus for loving us.”
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God bless
Trish