Father's Day Tribute

Tomorrow is Father's Day. It brings back many memories of my father. It's hard to believe that he has been in heaven for ten years. In honor of Father's Day, I would like to share just a few of the things that make me smile when I recall my dad and his life.

I tried to scan some pictures. I didn't do a very good job. Someone is going to have to teach me how to do this so that it looks nicer. Anyway, I'll share the pictures with you, along with a few of my memories.

These are pictures from the early 20's, when my dad was just just a little guy. The bottom one is his birth announcement. I have the envelope that it was mailed in, complete with a 2 cent stamp! I love the picture with his mother. My dad was her first son, and he was named "Albert", after his father. While growing up, he was called "Junior". I always thought he was "Albert Rodenhouse", but my father ALWAYS wrote his full name as "Albert M. Rodenhouse". I learned this the hard way when I made out my wedding invitations and left the all-important "M" out of his name. His response when I showed him my invitations? "They look nice, but you spelled my name wrong!"

I like these pictures because they remind me of how much he loved his family. When David was a baby, we traveled to Florida. That's a picture of my dad just being relaxed and being a good grandpa as he feeds David a bottle. The rest of the family spent the day at Disney, but he stayed home and took care of his grandson. I also love the fact that he is in his "jumpsuit". For some reason, my dad went through a long phase in his life when he wore jumpsuits! It was kind of a strange "phenomonon" that he went through because my dad was know for being quite a stylish dresser.The next picture was taken at our home in Biloxi. We lived about 14 hours from his place in Florida, but he always went out of his way to drive over to our home on the way to Florida and again on the way back to Michigan. In this picture he is celebrating with Laura on her 16th birthday. The bottom picture was taken at the Marco Island Country Club. It was Dad's 75th birthday and he treated us to a wonderful dinner at the club where he loved to golf.

I like these pictures because they remind me of dad's love for stories and people. An example of this would be the stories dad liked to tell about his uncle. My dad's uncle lived a fascinating life. Uncle Gerrit not only attended the famed Julliard School of Music, but he also managed to marry the governor's daughter from the Island of St. Maarten. In 1993, my dad and his brother visited the island and toured the family home. This is a picture of him with Emilio, one of the people that worked for Uncle Gerrit. Emilio was able to share many new stories with my dad. Seeing him with Emilio reminds me of my dad's love for people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. A great memory I have is of the times he spent with Mr. Waites at our cottage. I guess today most people would call Mr. Waites "African-American". I loved to see those two together. I often was with my dad at the cottage when he and Mr. Waites would work together in getting the cottage ready to "open up" for the summer. There were always so many leaves to rake and twigs to pick up and flowers to plant! In the middle of the day, they would take a break for lunch. Dad told me that Mr. Waites was pretty surprised the first time dad invited him inside to have lunch together. I also like this saying that he learned from Mr. Waites: It's not a matter of skin, but a matter of sin. It's not a matter of race, but a matter of grace. They loved to talk about the things of God with each other. I especially loved it when I got to have lunch with them and dad would ask Mr. Waites to say the blessing. That man could pray! But so could my dad. In fact, the family joke has always been my mom reminding my dad not to pray so long before a Sunday dinner...she didn't want the food to get cold!

My dad was a man of many interests. He loved collecting cars and coins and glassware. Whatever he collected, he went after the best! His cars often won the trophy for "Best of Show". He became so knowledgeable about glassware that he was asked to speak at conventions! I love the story about the day he saw an ad in the paper for a specific car that he always wanted to add to his collection. I think it belonged to the Kellogg family.(Or some really well-known, wealthy family.) Anyway, he drove many hours to see the car. When he arrived at the "mansion", the groundskeeper told dad that Mrs. Kellogg could not be disturbed because she was having devotions. My dad asked if he could see the car. He was escorted to a huge warehouse/garage that housed all the cars ever owned by the family! They were all on blocks and in pristine condition. Finally, my dad got to meet Mrs. Kellogg. My dad shared with her that he also began everyday with devotions. This was the beginning of quite a lengthy conversation. Finally my dad was able to bet around to asking about the car, only to have her say, Oh, the car is not for sale. I was only curious if it would generate any interest. If I do ever sell the car, however, I want it to go to a man of your caliber. Several years later he received a call that the car was his if he was still interested. Once again he drove the distance and thought for certain he would have another visit with Mrs. Kellogg. He was told that she was too emotionally upset about the car leaving, so he proceeded to get the car into the trailer. As he pulled away, he saw her looking out of the window. I didn't do the story justice. If my dad told it, you would have been mesmerized!

I learned many things from my dad. Because of him, I love to write. My dad wrote a lot. Especially Bible studies and sermons. He also wrote many, many letters to me over the years...especially when I was in college. I remember one of the very first letters he wrote to me in college was all about not "gulping at life". He advised me to savor the seconds and not to be in such a rush.

He loved a good story, a good joke, and a good quote. when I was in high school, he had this quote from David Livingston written in the front of his Bible: Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties but the ties that bind me to your service and to your heart.

From him I received my love for public speaking. My dad spoke a lot. He even used to preach! It always made me very proud to see my dad in front of an audience.

My dad instilled in me at a very early age my love for God and a desire to bring honor and glory to Him. That's really what my dad was all about. And while he loved his family and the things of this earth, it was evident to all that heaven was his home. He had a close relationship with his heavenly Father. I love the fact that the last word I ever heard my dad say was, "Amen". He was confined to a hospital bed for the last weeks of his life. The last few days of his life he spent in what looked like a "sleep state". His eyes were closed and he no longer spoke. Our pastor came to visit maybe a day or two before dad's death. He read the Bible and prayed. At the end of the prayer, dad raised his hands and said, "Amen!". We were all surprised to hear him say anything!

It brings me great comfort to know that my dad is with the Lord. I know he is enjoying heaven. I know he is enjoying the music of heaven and I know he is enjoying being in the presence of the One he lived for!

My dad left me a great legacy. I'm thankful that he was my dad. Thanks for letting me share just a few of my memories.