A Dad and This Boy

I thought that I was doing pretty well, then came along, this day

Two weeks ago today, Dad you were called home, out of the fray

 

Dad, I sat down at my laptop to start writing these thoughts I kept

An alert blinked, so I clicked, a picture of us opened up, I wept

 

I have said, I was blessed to do what God has allowed me time to do

I wasn’t done Dad, why did you have to leave now, I trust God knew

 

I always acted in love, knowing that one distant day you’d be gone

Leaving a hole here in my world, rhythm broken, no tasks to be done

 

You would just get better, together we would move on, more time to share

Then one April morning I rushed, to be with you, but you weren’t there

 

When do we get to share a coffee and relive the moments we love?

Now I sit here by myself, mulling over this and that, I look above

 

What about the road trips we talked of Dad, where would we go?

I drive for hours, all over the place, and creation, let me know

 

Dad, who is going to tell me stop, or to turn, on our way to Canada?

Dad, I’d stop every time you needed, regardless of my own stamina

 

Dad, can we gather round the table one more time and just let loose?

Oh, we’d laugh til tears, you, my siblings, Mom, this boy you called moose

 

I look at the hoop and wonder if I’ll ever see that arch ever again

Dad, you were one the best lefty shooters there has ever been

 

You weren’t well, but I never thought this day would come so soon

Dimly, I thought that maybe when the day came, I’d be somehow immune

 

Dad, I am not immune, I can barely get through a day, maybe even two

I can’t imagine the despair of those who don’t know the Truth you knew

 

I wouldn’t make it were it not for the message, the way to heaven’s door

As a child, I’d lay in bed and pray that prayer every night just to be sure

 

It was you Dad, you shared the gospel and led me to the foot of the cross

It was you Dad, you put it out there, heaven bound, no longer lost

 

And, Dad, one day it will be our great day of celebration and joy

When, we all get together in heaven, it’ll always be a dad and this boy

 

How we will laugh, and in perfect health, we will walk the streets of gold

Dad, we will all see you again, in the land where we will never grow old

 

This is the picture that popped up on my laptop today.

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24 Hours in February

Thursday I was at my Mom and Dad’s house and I was struck by the greenery of the yard, specifically because it was so green, on February 4th here in New Hampshire. The scene was quite abnormal for this time of winter here in the Northeast. The temperature at the time was somewhere around 54°F, which was also an anomaly.

Way too green and warm for southern NH on Feb. 4th.

Then, on Friday we received 6.5″ of snow at my house. There were communities around us that received anywhere from 5″ to 9″ of snow on Friday. Many schools were closed, and just like that, in 24 hours it felt like winter again.

Friday morning the snow was falling at a pretty good clip. The snow, in all of its purity, renews all it covers.

As I put this piece together and post it to my blog, on Monday, the 8th of February, it is snowing again in southern NH. It’s a cold, snowy day, and the temperature (with wind) feels like 8°F. We are still some 45″ of snow shy of our normal winter average, and I doubt we will hit the average or even get close. Then again, you never know what is in store for us the rest of this winter…and beyond.

By late afternoon the sun made an appearance so we could see it set. The bright, yellowish glow on the white coated trees was a sight to see.

My Aunt Janette Remembered

I find myself staring into the beautiful spaces that God created and letting my mind wander over the hills, through the valleys, and along the streams. In my mind all of it is wild, all of it is untouched, and all of it is revered by mankind. From the path my mind wanders along, I see the people who now walk the streets of gold, the ones we loved here on earth. I long to sit and visit with them again. I long to hear the familiar laughter that each of them often contributed to our family gatherings. I ache to look into the eyes of those heroes who have gone before me. In those eyes, there are windows to all-time, the windows dressed in love are unmistakable. The eyes invite you in to sit and stay for awhile, they exude love, and portray a confidence that all will be just fine, for where we are gathered, He is there also. Try looking into the eyes of a loved one, maybe an older one, but one who has assured their eternal salvation by giving their life to Christ, and tell me you don’t see all I have described here, and more.

I wrote this piece two years ago, and this morning, I honor my aunt’s life by posting the original words I wrote.

April day at the beach

This gallery contains 9 photos.

       

Landmark

Photography 101.

Manchester Downtown. Looking North and East across the Merrimack River.   (Photo by Steve Beal Sr.)

 

 

My Wife Inspires Me

My wife finished the Manchester Half Marathon. Winds were gusting 20-30 mph, with temps in the upper 30’s. Amaris you are amazing!

Storyland 2014

Yesterday, my wife and I took our three youngest kids to Storyland in Glen, NH for a day of rides and fun. I think you will see from the pictures that we had a good time. There were lots of smiles.