Father's Day

I have been richly blessed in so many ways.  As Father’s Day approaches, I am reflecting on the blessing of a wonderful father, Byron Forney.  He was tall, handsome, a hard worker and loved being a surrogate dad to the neighborhood children.  He met my mom when he returned to the States after the D-Day invasion.  When I became a single parent, Daddy stepped in to be the father figure for Lindsey, who was only two.  He was devoted to my mother and we were fortunate to have Daddy until he was called home to be with our Heavenly Father at the age of 81. 

Another role model for my children is my father-in-law, George “Toke” Young.  He served in occupied Japan after World War II, returned to the rural community where he still lives, and started a family.  He, too, is handsome, modest and unassuming.  Honestly, I won the in-law jackpot as he and Geneva are absolutely wonderful.  When Steve’s sister, Judy, lost her husband suddenly almost 20 years ago, Toke and Geneva stepped in to help with Judy’s three children. 

Toke and Geneva married on her 18^th birthday.  She was a beauty and full of personality. But sadly, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago and is now in the late stages.  As many years as I have known and loved them, what impresses me most is the loving care Toke, now 86, takes of Geneva, who is 84.  She sleeps most of the time and rarely talks and he has taken over all of the cooking, mending her clothes, cleaning and laundry.  He has the patience of Job, can fix anything and recently mastered his first iPhone. I was tickled when he looked up on the internet how to make homemade bread, then proceeded to do so! 

Toke has given up his church and community activities to care for Geneva and he is devoted to her.  One unexpected advantage of my frequent travel has been the opportunity for Steve to have his parents out at the ranch in the evenings and cook for them.  Toke appreciates the social interaction and Steve has enjoyed the time visiting with him.  In my mind, the best part of all is what he has taught our family about what the vows “for better or for worse” really means.

This Father’s Day marks the 150^th anniversary of the founding of Arlington Cemetery, begun during the Civil War. Your Executive Committee will place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and show our gratitude and respect for the sacrifices of the families represented at Arlington Cemetery. 

May you, too, be richly blessed by the fathers in your family and may we all be a blessing to others.

I thank my God every time I remember you.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Philippians 1:3-4