I miss you today, Dad, on this our 58th Wedding Anniversary! I remember well the first day I met you. It was my first day on the college campus -- the Kansas farm girl meeting a "genuine Texan" -- complete with cowboy boots, cowboy shirt (you know---the kind with those ugly brass buttons), and of course, your 10 gallon cowboy hat!! Did you know I was not impressed!! :)
However, I also distinctly remember the first time I was impressed! The college was in Revival, and as I was leaving the service one night with some friends, I heard someone at the front of the church praying very loudly! I said, "Who is that praying so loud", and they said -- "That's Gene Hood from Texas"! Did you know, Dad, that something immediately welled up in me (I remember it as if it were yesterday) and I said in my heart -- "I would like to marry a man who can pray like that"!!
Do you remember that Wednesday in Chapel when you came down from the balcony and sat down in the empty seat beside me, intending to ask the girl who sat there for a date to Prayer Meeting that night? Do you remember she never came, so you asked me instead? :) :)
That was the beginning of our relationship that led to the marriage altar, and now, today is our 58th wedding anniversary! Do you remember when you gave me this little card? It is one of my favorites:
"I asked the Lord to bless me with an angel in my life --
A woman I could treasure as a loving friend and wife.
And so you came from Heaven as the answer to my prayer;
And changed my world forever through the precious love we share."
I miss you today, sweet Papa. I miss your wise counsel -- your leadership -- I greatly miss hearing you pray -- but I intend, by God's wonderful grace, to Meet You in the Morning---just inside The Eastern Gate---with the family in my hand!
ReplyDeleteThis is sooooo sweet, i'm so greatful that my kids and y'all got to meet... what a Precious Gift, spending those Two weeks ! There are memories during that stay that i will Never let go or forget, just like in the first time you two met. What a treasure, you understand what it is the two of you had yet i sinply get what is was to enjoy looking from the outside in - and so does my kids -)) thank you for your choices, the two together made, the enjoyment of your sharing and having us to Steak and Shake. . giggling
Good to hear from you and thank you for your kind words! I trust that these are good days for you and your family! Time passes very quickly and we never know what a day will bring forth, but it is wonderful to know that God doeth all things well! God bless you!
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ReplyDeleteThis is sooooo sweet, i'm so greatful that my kids and y'all got to meet... what a Precious Gift, spending those Two weeks ! There are memories during that stay that i will Never let go or forget, just like in the first time you two met. What a treasure, you understand what it is the two of you had yet i sinply get what is was to enjoy looking from the outside in - and so does my kids -)) thank you for your choices, the two together made, the enjoyment of your sharing and having us to Steak and Shake. . giggling
The path of the just is as a shining light... What a blessing you both have been to the Kingdom of God. Praying God will continue to hold you close and that your precious memories as well as our blessed hope will continue to sustain you. Thanks for writing such a precious reflection.
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