Father's Day Weekend Post 2026

Allow me to share a little about some of the prominent men in my family in observance of Father's Day. 

Daddy probably in 1956
Tulsa, Oklahoma

I've written tributes to my father (Daddy) many times.. After battling cancer he passed away when he was only 58 years old. That was much too soon for Mama, Sister, and me, as well as other family members. But in his absence we are left with pictures and good memories of a devoted Christian man who did his best by each of us. 

Tom on Father's Day 2016

As most of my blog readers know, my first husband passed away in late 2020. While the Lord gave him 70 years + 3 days on this earth, and 50 years of marriage to me, his life, like that of my father, ended too soon. But also like my father, I know he's in Heaven with Jesus. He and I together did all we knew to do to teach our 3 children to know the Lord and to grow up to be good people. 

Tom and me in 1973

With tongue-in-cheek I share this "undercover" photo of our eldest son, who was born just a couple of weeks after this snapshot was taken. That was over half a century ago. My life has never been the same since. Parenthood has been happy, at times scary, and full of the unexpected. By the mercies of the Lord, we and our 3 children survived. Our kids are responsible, self-sufficient adults who have given us eleven grandchildren.

our second-born son

One of them has given us "grand animals" instead of human grandkids. Besides the 3 house cats they have now, there is a mule to make our FaceTime conversations even more interesting and entertaining.

This post is focused pretty much on the influential family men in my life, so all I'll say about my daughter is that she met and married her Prince Charming as a result of their mutual employment in the shadow of a well-known castle frequented by a mouse and his cast of cartoon characters. A very skilled and resourceful man, our son-in-law has recently launched their son into what appears to be a very promising adulthood.

Gary on this morning's bike ride

Then of course this story would not be complete without a snapshot of my Gary, the man the Lord allowed into my life a year after my widowhood began. Nearly every blog post I've written over the past 4 years has included adventures and travel with Gary that I never dreamed to experience at this stage of my life.

As Gary likes to say, "I used to be a very private man." While I've learned to embrace zip lines, canoes, kayaks, bicycles, air boats, and such, perhaps the biggest change I brought into Gary's life has been his designation as "blog fodder." He is also my proof reader and editor.

The Lord uses the people in our lives to influence us into who we are. This post has been devoted to men that had a part in the opinions, beliefs, achievements, and physical surroundings that make me who I am. 

colorful tokens of friendship
from Diane

But as I close today's post, I want to say females have shaped me, too. Just this past week we met up with Diane for lunch. Many of my readers follow her blog, Lavender Dreams, and are aware of the sadness that overwhelmed her. 

You will be pleased to know that she has returned to her enjoyment of hiking and capturing examples of the animal kingdom with her camera. She looks really well. Her current blog post shares what's new with her, so I encourage you to visit her at this link: Through Thick and Through Thin

shared from Sue B. on Facebook

The Lord is close 

to the brokenhearted and

saves those who are

crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Until next time, grace and peace.

Barbara