A Father's Love

The following is a post I wrote a year ago, but for some reason, did not feel ready to post it. If you haven't noticed, I don't write a lot of personal feelings on this blog. I'm a bit of a private person. And I'm okay with that. I've been experiencing some similar feelings this year, though, and wanted to re-read this post to boost my spirits. And it did. So I thought I'd share some thoughts with you that I had a year ago:

As Christmas approaches, I realize I haven't gotten too much into the Christmas spirit. Sure, I have my shopping done. And we hung some lights and put up a tree. But I feel like I've missed that Christmas magic a bit this year. The past few days, though, have reminded me of something very important and pertinent to this holiday and I'd like to share that.

I do a lot of blogstalking. Of people I don't even know. I work a lot of nights. Don't judge. I found a blog of a girl living in New York City working on Broadway. Mostly I like to look on her blog and see the fun things she gets to do in New York. A couple posts back, though, she wrote about her father's "birthday". He has cancer and has been going through some tough times. It was the start of a stem-cell transplant. And transfer day is considered their "birthday", considering they have a whole new immune system. It's been a decade since we first learned of my own father's cancer and began a very similiar process. My heart goes out to this family with their challenges ahead. Before this father's transplant began, he was able to welcome home a daughter from a mission in Korea. My own brother was on a mission in Korea when my father passed away from cancer. A picture was taken at the airport of the father embracing his daughter as she arrived back in Utah. Everytime I look at it, it brings tears to my eyes. Please view the picture here. His face says a thousand words. I've been missing my dad a lot lately, and this picture brings back so many emotions I've experienced. I like to imagine that this is what it will be like when I see him again. We'll hug so tight we can't breath and cry tears of joy. At church today, we had our Christmas program. I was reminded of another Father and His love for us. He sent His Son to do something that none of us could do for ourselves. Because of Him, we can be together forever as families. I will be able to see my earthly father again. And for this, I am truely grateful. That's what Christmas is all about.

This painting was given to me as a young women by my leader, who is related to the artist, Derek Hegsted. I've loved this painting ever since and feel it captures my feelings today.