Father's day.  I'm grateful for my dad.  A dad who was a cornerstone for our family as I grew.  A dad who I spent many a day fishing from a bank with or floating on the water.  Didn't matter much whether we caught anything or not, just being there meant everything.  We went hunting alot but never shot much.  Sitting under a tree waiting for the squirrels to come out in view and often we would end up watching them more than we would be interested in killing them.  That's when dad would tell me stories and talk about his days of growing up on the farm.  A dad that would work all day driving trucks and hauling freight, I didn't realize how tired he was, I just wanted to spend time with me.  And sure enough he would come out and hit baseballs to me or throw the football with me.  A dad who treated his wife properly and showed me how to be a good husband, they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.  A dad who, until a few years ago never told me that he loved me.....but didn't have to.  The way he took care of me and also disciplined me always let me know how he felt.  It wasn't until he was lying in a hospital bed about to undergo quadruple bypass that he struggled to say the words aloud, but it didn't matter.  I knew how he felt.  A dad that would do anything for a friend, a neighbor or even a stranger.  A dad who would navigate a road trip vacation lasting 2 weeks that seemed to take advantage of every moment of enjoyment available. I remember waiting on dad to get home from work before we would eat.  Dad, mom, me and my 2 older brothers would sit and we'd listen to what happened to dad while he worked.  We might share what happened at school or what adventures we had during the summer vacation.  I never saw my dad fight another person or confront others in a adversarial way.  I can only remember one time in my whole life that I heard him and momma fight. There was a rough time where my dad lost his job and we had to live carefully for a few years but we made it through.   I loved sitting with him watching football games, and listening to our beloved razorbacks on the radio.  I loved the sound of a ice cream maker whirring during the summertime.  I loved the sound of football in the fall.  Things have changes so much but thanks dad for giving me an example to go by.  I've been married to Cheryl for 20 years now and I raise my kids the way you showed me too.  I hope my kids will say that I've done a good job too and will be good parents, just like you.

It's my first father's day without Travis here.  He's with our Father in heaven now.  I just know that he has brought humor into heaven like they haven't seen before.  I miss his laugh, the odd noises that he would make randomly, his hyperness that at times would drive me crazy but always find humorous afterwards.  I miss his scawny little body giving me squeezes.  Travis really was special.  I've been thinking of you today and wrote this poem for you.  I love you Tee.

Travis, our son, you've moved on
to a better place to be
you gave us wonderful times down here
in spite of your misery

I treasure every moment
every laughter, every tear
I long to make them new again
but it's not possible, not here

Your giggles are irreplaceable
the love unmistakeable
we never doubted how you felt
your time was short
but you made the most of what you had
and those moments we'll forever tell

I miss you T, you're my inspiration
I can never give up a fight
for you have shown me courage, even as a child
that can help this man, make it through the night

Your faith never wavered
in the face of dreadful news
Your attitude encouraged others
that might otherwise be confused

Thank you God for giving me this boy
that I was able to call him my son
I'd rather have the pain I'm experiencing right now
that to have missed out on all the fun

I wonder if Travis sees me
If he and Jesus are watching somehow
Lord hold him tight and give him comfort
if he sees these tears I'm crying now

It's only cause I love him
and I miss him with all my heart
It's father's day and I'm thinking of him
It hurts to be apart

Son, You've made it to a place
where we're all hoping we will be
Guide us until then our boy
We love you Travis Lee.