He died in January of the age of 93. His death has caused me to think not only about my father, but about fathers in general. As we get older, many of us come to see our parents more clearly, not as heroes or villains, but as human beings. My father made mistakes, he had flaws and shortcomings, as we all do. There are times when he disappointed me and times I'm sure I disappointed him. But looking back, I remember most of the times he was present in my life, nothing special or remarkable, just present. When fathers are present, however imperfectly they matter. They help shape who we become and perhaps one of the gifts of maturity is learning to appreciate not the father we wish for, but the father we had.
This Father's Day, remember your father with gratitude where you can, with forgiveness where it is needed and with honesty about the complicated love that often binds families together.
This is Dr. Scott Morris for Church Health.
Father's Day
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