I was getting ready to write something for today and decided I’d look back through the last few years of Father’s Day posts. The one below jumped out at me because it was the Father’s Day just after Pap died.
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June 2016
All week I’ve been afraid of today because its Father’s Day. I’ve been scared of the sadness I knew would rise up around my feet and make its way to my eyes as if it was a dense cold fog that came from deep within the earth. As time marched ever closer to Sunday, and its day of celebration, my fear was kept company by many tears.
But I have gratitude weaving its way through my heavy heart too.
Gratitude for a having had a wonderful father for a whole heck of a lot of years! Gratitude that his steering led his family through the highways and hedges of life in such a manner that even though he’s gone we’ll not stray from the paths he showed us. Gratitude that we have each other to love; to sit and reminisce with; to lend a helping hand; to stand beside each other looking toward a future that is brightened because we had such a father.
Recently, Paul told the audience we’d been on a whirlwind tour of the Brasstown and Blairsville area. Our grand tour hasn’t taken us far away from home, yet we have kept the roads hot playing gigs the last few weeks.
Here’s a quick video of us warming up before a show.
I feel like there has been part of Pap with us on every stage we’ve stood on since he passed away…even the one that was actually too small for us to stand on-which would have given Pap a good laugh.
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Three years later we’re still taking the stage throughout western NC and North GA and Pap’s still a part of every show. Since I wrote the post above my grief of losing Pap has lessened and my gratitude for having had him has increased ten fold.
If you’re a father – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY FROM THE BLIND PIG GANG TO YOU each of us understand very well the important role you play in your family.
Tipper
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Tipper,
This is for Ed Ammons,
Thank You for all the work you did for my girls, Lauralea and Jennifer. I could not find 1948 quarters I searched almost everywhere to find a keepsake for my daughters, and there it was on Tipper’s Blind Pig and the Acorn. Both my daughters really appreciate this, I wanted to pay you, but you said not to. “If I Can’t do for my friends, and I do consider you a Friend.” Same here!
They wear them all the time. Thanks. …your friend, Ken
I’ve truly been blessed to still have my Father, he didn’t get to keep his Father as long as I’ve been blessed to have him around, my heart goes out to yall for the emptiness no doubt you still feel. I do know Pap would be so proud of yall keeping up the tradition.
Tipper,
You’ve written such a moving experience, I teared up some as I was reading. I feel for all your family. I know all are experiencing those same feelings. The loss of my Daddy and Mama was hard on me, but it gets better, and my 5 brothers. And just like Pap, their enjoying the Joys of Our Lord in Spirit. Happy Father’s Day to All the Dads out there. …Ken
How I wish I could just spend one more Fathers Day with my dad, then I could lessen the guilt I feel for not telling him he was one of the worlds best dads. They don’t make ’em like my daddy any more.
Gratitude becoming larger than grief. You may have just nailed down how the redemption of grief works.
I miss my Dad. And I always will in a degree. But I would not have him back if I could. Not only is he in a better place but he missed some things that would have greatly grieved him to know.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads.
Happy Father’s Day to the Deer Hunter!! The best Father I know!
We are in East Tennessee visiting my father for Father’s Day. He turned 96 years in March and is physically frail but mentally sharp. I am very grateful that he is still around.
The years have lessened the dread of Father’s Day. With the more recent death of my Mother, Mother’s Day has become bittersweet. While I enjoy extra attention myself sadness seems to be there ready to pounce once I am alone. We are durable and we adjust, because our parents taught us well.