In My Father's Chair...

     Father's Day 2015

My Father's Chair....

The Father-Daughter Dance... Many moons ago...

     As I made my way into the cabin for the first time this summer, my Dad’s chair was sitting in the middle of the room.  I remembered that my brother told me that they were going to get rid of it… unless I wanted it.  It’s not that we needed another camp chair, but honestly I couldn’t let it go.  In the last 30 days of my Dad’s life, I felt like I lived in that chair, and saying goodbye would be like saying goodbye to my Dad all over again.  I couldn’t do it.  Our Dad was an honest to God reflection of Our Heavenly Father…forgiveness, understanding, love and acceptance (mostly… well, except for a former boyfriend or two who shall remain nameless), and on Fathers’ Day 2015, I can’t help but reflect.  It’s Rick Springfield’s fault really.

     There must be something about turning 50 years old that has made me so introspective (or the dozen pieces of Rick Springfield paraphernalia that I received for my birthday….he is just so stinkin’ wise).  Honestly most days I still consider myself sweet 16, but perhaps it is just being Home for the summer and watching our Mom struggle with her health issues on a daily basis.  I feel my Father with me, and I talk to him all day long.  Sometimes though my prayers and questions seem unanswered, so, as Rick Springfield said it best, “When the world turns sour/And I get sick from the smell/And I can't find no comfort there/I climb into My Father's Chair./”  

 

This chair holds and heals me (I swear), bolstering me up for the challenges ahead and then propels me (quite literally) back out into the fray of the day.  Thanks, Dad!  

 I love and miss you, Dad, and I can’t wait until we are reunited in our Heavenly Home.  It may be a while, so until then, I will climb into My Father’s Chair whenever I need to feel your love.

 “My Father's Chair Lyrics”

By Rick Springfield 

My Father's Chair still standing there
All alone since the long night
Now it's three years on and I still feel
He'll come home, we'll be alright

So where's this healing time brings
I was told the pain would ease
But it still hurts like the first night

That night my brother, my mother and I
Were looking up at a distant star
And wishing we could reach that far
And back in the house
And alone for the first time
We told each other we cared
We avoided My Father's Chair

I watch my family, we hold on
We are strong and we'll be alright
The clock continues counting down, all the while
And every child will share the long night

But do the spirits meet again
Why am I still so filled with doubt
Is my soul everlasting

And the far distant future
When I knew you'd be gone
Came too fast and stays too long
Why do they leave the weak of spirit
And take the strong

When the world turns sour
And I get sick from the smell
And I can't find no comfort there
I climb into My Father's Chair