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| Dad holding Griffin! I love how attentive Griffin is! |
After 35 years or so, my Dad retired from his job at Rockwell Collins a week and a half ago. He had been looking forward to that day for many years! Between the birth of my nephew, his retirement, and Father's Day weekend, I decided it was a great time to visit my family back in Marion, Iowa. My nephew Griffin was 3.5 weeks old when I visited.
There are too many things that I appreciate about my Dad to share all of them with you. But there are several that really stand out. My Dad has a love of music. I have fond memories of hearing music played in the house all of the times, whether it be classical music, sacred music, shaped note hymnody, or his first love of organ music. From my elementary days, I remember going to organ concerts and Cedar Rapids Symphony concerts. If I played my cards right, I could get a milk shake on the way back from a concert. I think part of my love for music comes from my father. Our family worship time always included music, and my Dad encouraged each of us kids to pick out a favorite hymn of ours to sing together as a family. This tradition continues every time I come back for a visit!
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| Weston and I were best buds. I had fun pulling him in the wagon. |
My parents really love each other, and I appreciate them modeling that to me. My Dad is very good to my Mom, and I admire there life long commitment they have made to each other. God's grace has held them strong through both the good and bad times.
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| Laura has her hands full - 2 babies to take care of! |
Finally, my Dad's faithfulness to his job is exemplary. He is a great human embodiment of the verse in Colossians that says to work heartily as to the Lord, not to men. I have memories of my Dad bringing many computer programming books home to study throughout the years of my life. His efforts to stay up to date with the latest computer programming languages and expand his knowledge tangibly impressed upon me the value of hard work. He stayed true to this work ethic even to the end of his working years.
My Dad loves his family, and I'm really glad I got to celebrate in person with him as he starts a new chapter in his life.
