I was blessed with a Father who was a great patriot. In many ways I could call him brilliant. Who was comfortable with coding and decoding, had served as an agent behind enemy lines during World War II, and was a pioneer in the birth and growth of computers. Yet, the war and the nature of his work took a terrible toll on his life. Not having accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, my Father had much strength but lacked the inner strength to stand against the stresses he had endured for so many years. My Father left when I was two years old.
Yet there is a man, who has since gone to be with the Lord, who called me son. God raised up another man who was never a part of our family. Who was married and raised his own children. Yet, still found the time to be a Dad to many generations of “Junior Boys” in Sunday school. I know that he touched many lives and I know that he impacted mind. After all the years he has been with the Lord it is difficult to type these lines without coming to tears. I greatly miss him and definitely remember him.
I was blessed with an Uncle who was a man of faith, culture and character. He blessed my life by setting a high standard of what a man should be. What I know of being a gentleman I learned and mirrored from his life. He served our country in many different ways. He served our family in many more ways. He was involved in the arts, sciences, diplomacy, and mastered many languages. The most unique thing about my Uncle was his inheritance. Until I became of age, my middle brother and I were listed on our Mother’s will to be raised and adopted by this Uncle. It was a comfort to child to know he was that loved.
My Father was a great patriot who willingly and without reservation gave his life and innermost thoughts for freedom and his country. My Uncle demonstrated culture and refinement that gave him a power in his voice without ever raising it. My Dad taught me compassion and the power of having a heart for God. I never saw my Father cry, yet I knew he had a depth of commitment to his country that could not be matched. I frequently saw my Dad weep for a soul that was lost or a young person who was going through a difficult time. I wrote letters to my Father that went unanswered. If I called my Uncle he was there for me. I never doubted that there was a day when my Dad was alive that I was not mentioned in his prayers.
I have been truly blessed. On this Father’s Day I realize that I have had both a Father, and a Dad. They just didn’t happen to be the same man. Yet, I have been blessed to pick up qualities and strength from my Father, my Uncle and my Dad. I would be wrong to grow bitter and as why I could not have been like others with both in one. If I have strength and character it stems from the devotion that God has instilled in me through a Godly, Mother, a Patriotic Father, and yes, a Godly Dad and Uncle. So when I come to Father’s Day I am not sad though I may weep from their physical absence. Instead I give thanks, and look for men of any age that need that simple word of encouragement and prayer that their Father’s may have forgotten or did not know how to share. I have lived long enough to want to be known as a cultured man of prayer and a Patriot who is not afraid to shed a tear and encourage others.
In memory of my Father, Thomas Joseph Lyons, my Uncle James Hudson Culver and my Dad, Guy Fuller, may each of you who read this note be blessed with such men in your lives. Further, a special note to single moms, from the time I was two years old my Mom raised four children. Most Father’s Day’s passed without the presence of Father, Uncle or Dad. So I decided to give my Mom both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards. When she tried to divert the card to my Father, I reminded her that I knew that it was she who was there for me all year long. From the age of nine I was aware that she was wearing two hats and I felt no lacking only gratitude for her love. If you are reading this and raising your children on your own, don’t be discouraged or feel you are falling short. God can do a great work through you in your children’s lives.
Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
