This past weekend, we roadtripped our way back to our hometown near Cleveland, Ohio. We were there to celebrate a very important day...and a very important man.
His name is Dan Humphrey Sr. He was the proud Papa of 5 kids and 8 grandkids. He graduated to Heaven this January on no other than Dream Big Day (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Before he learned to fly, he had been planning a Lamb Roast. He bought the grill--had it sitting on his back porch for months--had looked up recipes, planned a menu, and made the guest list. His ipad was his companion in his lists of ideas, directions, and specifications.
Just before he passed, he made sure that we all knew about having this Lamb Roast. And even hours before passing, he gave Dan Jr. a candid conversation about his hopes of the fulfillment of this grand event. When we lost him later that night, we knew that there would be, NO DOUBT, a lamb roast.
And, so, the planning began. Trips to West Side Market in Cleveland, a trip to the butcher, and five hundred trips to Walmart for ice, Diet Coke, and beer.
As the plans unfolded, so did this song. I kept hearing it on the playlist as we soaked up the sun, kissed sweaty babies, and watched the grandkids "swim" in the ice buckets. This song was so "him".
I will never forget the moment I saw him for the first time after his passing. As we each took our turns stepping up to hold his hand, I felt the most glorious presence with us. It was as if he was there, passing out gifts to each one of us. And he had picked them out specifically. Whether talents he was bestowed with, the character that he had, or the prayers that he had and was currently praying. They were downloaded to each of us--just the way he wanted.
Since then, I have spent time opening my gifts. In my time of remembrance of his life, I have been spurred on to move more into the piter paters of my heart, into the creativity that he so encouraged me in. He was an avid blog reader of mine, bought me my first cricut crafting machine, and also a giant variety pack of sharpie markers that have been my writing companions for the last four years.
There are times that I know he's watching. Who gives a gift without watching the receiver open it up? That's the best part about presents!
So, this past Sunday, we said our thank you's. And honored his request for the backyard Lamb Roast on Georgia Ave. And though a spinning lamb was a little scary for some of us, we each partook. I could just hear him up there, "Oh, you gotta taste this. Did you taste this? It's so good, just taste this!" The chef that he was couldn't help but share the goodness of a delicious spread of food.
If he had still been with us, we could have easily shook our head "no" at taking a piece of that little lamb, not meeting his request. But this time, we couldn't pass it up. Even Ella had a spread on her high chair, relishing in the taste of her Papa's dream fulfilled.
Fathers.
Sure are grateful for them. On Earth and in Heaven.
So, here's to you, Papa Hump! Happy Father's Day!
(corresponding song: Learning to Fly by Tom Petty)
Beautiful post xxx
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