June 15, 2014

The First Father's Day In Heaven

One year ago, we celebrated Father's Day with my dear father like this...


Father's Day 2013

My mom, my sisters, our families and I picked him up from the nursing home and took him out to dinner.
We took him to his favorite Italian restaurant.
He had a big bowl rigatoni and meatballs and a diet soda.
He was happy.
He had fun.
He knew we were there to celebrate him.
On Father's Day.

We smiled and visited. We commented to each other how good he looked, and well he ate. We took pictures and laughed. We knew that he knew we loved him so.

What we didn't know was that would be the last Father's Day we would ever celebrate with him here on Earth. We didn't know that it would be the very last time we would ever take him out to dinner.
We didn't know it would be the last time he would ever order rigatoni and meatballs.

I'm thankful we didn't know. We lived that day in the moment.
We just were. We loved and laughed and ate and smiled.
And celebrated Dad.
And he knew.

Today, Father's Day 2014, my children and I will celebrate my hubby here in Walt Disney World.
We will laugh and smile and eat and take pictures.
And have fun.


Happy Father's Day to the man who is beside our children every step of their lives. : )
I love you, Steve.


And Happy Father's Day to the man who was beside me every step of my life.


I love you, Dad.
I miss you.


 Happy First Father's Day in Heaven.


16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Billie Jo. Saying a prayer for you this morning. Hope you have a wonderful day with your family!

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  2. That is very sweet.
    I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Father's Day today.

    :)Hope

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  3. Billy Jo, that was absolutely precious and heartwarming. Thank you for sharing the joy of your dear dad.
    May you and your family gave a blessed day on this special Fathers Day.
    Joy! Debbie

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  4. Oh, sweet girl. Prayers for you today. Precious post. Love the photos.

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  5. Loved your post today. I know you miss your Dad. Thankful you have a husband who is a good Father to your children...a blessing.

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  6. You are so sweet. What a lovely post. I hope this day isn't too hard on you and that you are having a nice time in Florida. Sending hugs, my friend.

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  7. Those firsts are the absolute worst. Thought of you. Hope you are enjoying yourself in FL!

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  8. As always, a beautiful post. You are blessed by two very special men, Billie Jo. I hope you are relaxing and soaking in lots of family time on your vacation.

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  10. The emotion in your writing made it hard to get through without tearing up. And scrolling down to your wedding photos and seeing you and your Dad in that most precious moment was so sweet. This was so beautiful to read. The immense love for your Dad that you shared is so special. I am so glad that you had such a wonderful Father's day with him last year. What a gift to have faith and know that you will see his smile again and get to celebrate with him again in person someday.

    I hope your family's Father day was blessed! Hope you are having a wonderful vacation :)

    Hugs and blessings my friend,
    Jazzmin

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  11. Billie Jo... I cried reading this... the love you have for your father is amazing. I am blessed having been a part of what you've shared on your blog. You inspire all of us. ~ Your wedding pictures are priceless. I love seeing them first of all... you were a beautiful bride! Oh my goodness... beautiful! And seeing you hold on to your dads arm as you walked down the aisle... love... I can tell from the wedding photos how much you have and always will adore your dad. My prayers and heart are with you, your mom, and your sisters this fathers day time. I'm sure it must be oh so difficult. I wish that I had better words for you but I don't. Know just that I'm here for you, always... ~ Can't wait for you to come back from Disney so we can all see some of the 'magic'. xoxoxoxo tara

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  12. Praying for you and your family.

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  13. I can't imagine how bittersweet of a day it was for you. I love this post and the sincerity in your words; I know your Dad has a great big smile on his face.

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  14. hi billie jo!
    i know how hard this day must have been for you all!!
    thinking of you my friend!

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  15. Oh, Billie Jo...this is so beautiful! I know how hard this is for you...I just lost my brother to cancer last fall...and every holiday tugs on my heartstrings. My dad (and mom) are 91...and we are blessed to live very close so that we can care for them. I know that every day is a blessing...and I understand what you mean about "not knowing" that this might be the last time...that way you focus on the happy...not the sorrow...

    Hope you are having a wonderful time on your vacation!
    Hugs,
    Laura

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo