Happy Father's Day

Eight seasons have come and gone since this picture of Lloyd Smith was taken.  The world has circled the sun twice.  Mankind has continued its chaotic existence.  During this time many millions have been born.  Many millions have died.  Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other tragic natural disasters have taken a huge toll on humanity.

Man has continued the exploration of space in a tiny space station circling the earth every 90 minutes.  We have been to the moon with a robotic satellite that discovered there appears to be a great deal more water under the surface than once thought.

Two wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan continue and have been joined by military action in Libya.  Hundreds have died on both sides in pursuit of eliminating terrorism.  Arabs throughout the Middle East, fed up with dictatorial rule, have risen up in an attempt to overthrow regimes that have brutally held them captive for years.  A few of these so-called revolutions have, in some limited way, succeeded.  Most have only led to further bloodshed.

Families have grown.  They have said farewell to beloved members who seemingly parted this world all too soon.  Grandchildren have come into the world as a gift from God to the heart of the family.

Yes, it has been an eventful two years!  The world has gone on and spun around the sun as appointed by God.  And we remember with fondness, the day the photo at the top was taken.

It was Father's Day, 2009.  The day was typically hot and humid as summer days tend to be in St. Louis.  Every member of the family gathered at Lloyd's home to celebrate this special day.  It was a day filled with smiles and laughter and the warm feeling that as long as this family is together, all is well.  Lloyd was the most contented, happiest man alive that day as he beamed in the light of the family that loved him so dearly.  Who knew, that within a matter of months, that proud grin would be extinguished.

In April, 2009, Lloyd parted for a much better life.  And while we were deeply saddened by his rather quick departure, we were heartened by the knowledge of a life well lived.  All of us had special memories of this man who worked so hard through the years to raise his family in ways that made him proud.  All of us took with us a special sense of who we are because of the love that he had for us and how special he made each one of us feel.

Much has happened in the time that has passed since that April morning when he was called home.  His home is now up for sale.  The heart of the family is no longer the structure that housed his physical existence, but, rather, that spot in all our hearts where the warmth of family love and togetherness make themselves known.  The "good old days" are now long gone only to have been replaced by that special knowledge that we shared time and space with a most extraordinary man.

The tears have given way more to smiles these days as the sting of his death recedes and the understanding of what his life meant to us becomes clearer and clearer with each passing day and with each passing anniversary.  And so on this still rather melancholy Father's Day there is still a sense of sadness that he is not with us physically.  But the heart-warming memories, the little stories that pop into the mind without warning, make us smile more and more.  One day we will all be reunited with this remarkable man.  Until then, Lloyd will be with us in spirit and in our hearts always at the ready with his contented and proud smile to cheer us on our way.

Happy Father's Day, Lloyd!   And thank you for the gift of your life.