Four-score and three years ago my friend, my father, Donald C. Weeks, was born. Three-score and one year later he went home to be with his Father. So for eleven years now, I have missed his presence. 

I have missed his laughter: It was never at the other person’s expense, it was never crude nor crass, and it always had a unique ability to get me out of my blue moods. I miss that.

I have missed his fashion: Polyester pants, white socks, a large gray sweater with holes – my dad just didn’t care. Everyone felt welcomed in his presence, from the man with no hand to the black bus driver who dropped off my handicapped sister, and all my crazy friends, my dad never acted better nor did he care if you were or were not. I miss that.

I have missed his faith in Jesus: Men, as a group, did not impress him much, but Jesus the man, sure did. Religion – the pomp and incensed circumstance – didn’t move him much, but Jesus did. The stories of the Savior captivated his heart, he really enjoyed Jesus, not because he felt obligated, but because he was captured by the Spirit. I miss that.

I have missed his conversations: He would take the time to talk. I wish my sons could have had that the last eleven years! Hey, if you are someone’s grandpa, spend time with your grandkids, they need that and they miss you without saying it.

I have missed his missing teeth: He got them knocked out from playing football without a face-mask. He got fake teeth put in and so he could pull them out anytime he wanted. He would often pull them out during a scary movie and slowly stalk my sisters saying, “Step by step, inch by inch…” And then grab them. I miss that.

I have missed how he loved my mom: She came first in his world. I miss that.

I have missed his handwriting: He would send me letters written on yellow legal pad paper in his powerful and sweeping script. Boy, could he write! I miss that.

Oh, one more thing…

I have missed long walks in the woods with his dog in the snow: Boy was that fun, he would talk about anything and everything. “Chris, when you get married there are five things you need to look for in a wife…”, “Chris, how is your job going….”, “Chris, what do you think heaven will be like…” Well, I can answer that last one now, heaven will have my dad. I can’t wait.

Happy Birthday, Dad! God gave me a wonderful gift for Two-score years in you!