Insides and Outsides

December 1972
Temper
Couldn't find his pipe
Tearing through drawers
Cussing at everyone
Hurting, destroying

Stopping to help look
I loved him so much.

I wrote this poem a long time ago when my dad was going through a bit of a mid life crisis. Last night, I was having dinner with a friend who is struggling with events from her childhood and teenage years. She is bravely coming to terms with the pains she endured. It makes me extremely proud to call her my friend.

We all know that being parents is so tough. I know my own children will have trouble with some of the hurts that happened in our home. My prayer is that each of us can find comfort in the love that is present even when people are imperfect. Forgiveness is not for those who hurt us it is a precious gift we give ourselves.

Remember what a wise woman said, that we judge our insides by other people's outsides. Last night was a reminder of that. My friend was surprised to hear my own dad was far from perfect. She believed he was awesome all the time. He was an amazing dad most of the time. My gift is that I have been able to forgive him his temper filled moments that were not amazing.

In Him,
Joyful
1-22-2011

Glad my dad is hanging with my son in that Heavenly place!