The Best Father's Day Gift

I don't like braggy posts. I do my best not to write them. I've blurred the line in the past, I know. And I'm about to blur it again. The difference to me is the answer to who and what you are celebrating. And the line gets blurring when it comes to our children, our families, and our lives.

I guess in the end the question that first must be asked is to whom are you writing? And again, the fine line is elusive. Especially on the web. To me, in this place, nederickson.blogspot.com is primarily where I can put down memories. It's my digital scrapbook - the things I don't mind sharing with whoever comes to visit - things I don't mind if they get shared over and over again to people I will never meet. I'm OK with that. The things I don't want passed around I put somewhere else. 

This is a memory I don't want to lose. On June 16, 2013, for Father's Day, Anna Rose gave me ten care bags for me to hand out to homeless people. The gift floored me. Once I got over the astonishment of she sees that in me? I was simply awed not only because of the sweet selflessness of the gift, but the thorough thoughtfulness of the giver. Anna Rose knows me. She knows what brings me joy. And she has observed and understood that the best gifts are the ones we give to others. And Lia, whom she told, understands me, too. She went along with it and gave Anna Rose the means to bring her idea to life. Wow! What a gift.  

This is the letter that accompanied my gift: "

Dear Ned, 

Happy Father's Day! I think one

of the greatest examples of what

a great dad you are is Anna Rose's

gift for you this year. She decided

to make bags for you to give to 

homeless people because she said,

"I know Daddy loves poor people."

When she thinks of you, she thinks

of Jesus because she sees Him in

you! Thank you for sharing His

love and grace with all of us. 

We love you!

Love, 

Lia