What manner of gift this be?
My dad turns 52 next month and I was wondering what to do/get for him... what can you get for a parent who has everything he'll ever need or even want - and whatever he doesn't have, I certainly can't afford?!
Well, I once said that I'll one day write a piece called Things My Father Taught Me. The idea has been floating around in my head ever since. Then a few days ago, when I was pondering this birthday gift dilemma, something (or was it someOne??) whispered, "Why don't you write that and give it to him for his birthday?"
The thought both excites and petrifies me all at the same time coz Dad can be pretty exacting and, well, if I do it and he says anything bad about my writing, I'll be crushed! You must understand that this is the same Dad (well, I only have one) who sometimes circles paragraphs in the newspaper and thrusts the paper at me, demanding, "Tell me what's wrong with that paragraph!"
He's pretty much a perfectionist with extremely high standards, so I'm terrified - have always been, actually - that I won't meet his standards. Eek!
Anyway, it's all up in the air. But the way the idea came, it could just be from God... in which case, there must be a purpose. I think Dad doesn't realise what a HUGE influence he's been in my life, and perhaps it would do his heart good to know that I really have paid attention to the things he's said to me over the years? That he's made a difference to me, and all his hard work hasn't been for nothing?
He used to say things like, "Oh, I'm only the banker" (he's the sole breadwinner; Mom is a stay-at-home-mom) or "I'm only the chauffeur". It was like he felt that we took him for granted and didn't appreciate all he'd done for us. After that I made more effort to show that I am thankful for him and do care for him.
Also, my uncle and aunt once told me that I have to remember the good times, and not allow the bad times to poison my memories. When they said that, I realised that yes, quite often when I think of Dad my memories are shadowed by his temper and moodiness, by the fear of incurring his wrath - a fear that's present even till this day. (And to think I turn 25 in August!)
So yeah, perhaps writing that piece would be a good thing, except I have no idea how to go about it. I've been making a list as stuff pops into my mind, and already have 10 things that my father taught me.
Good gracious, I'm SCARED... Lord, if you want me to write this, You'll have to help me!!