I really wish I could speak to my dad this Father’s Day. He died in 1985, and I still miss him. I actually miss him more now than when he was alive because now I understand more about what he was doing and trying to do. I understand what sacrifices he made for me when I was rebelling against his wisdom.

I’m not trying to say dad was perfect, but he was committed to being a good dad. He did all the normal stuff like working, being faithful to mom, trying to serve in the church and community. It was all the personal stuff I fought with. He didn’t want me to have candy before dinner and ruin my appetite for the meal. He wanted me to listen to teachers and do well in school. He wanted me to clean up after myself and do chores for the family. All that was irritating because it wasn’t what I wanted to do.

Later, of course, I found out that serving as part of a family was important and provided life satisfaction that running around in the woods and blowing up minnows with cherry bombs couldn’t. Good grades and school success was far more important than socializing with empty friendships that were more focused on the choice of ignorance. Dad was always frustratingly right, and I wish he was here to be right again. His scolding is more important to me now than the flattery of others. He was working to make my life worthwhile to others and meaningful to me. I miss him terribly.

One lesson dad taught me was that I have a Heavenly Father who will continue working on me in my dad’s absence. I see now that I’m still trying to get past immaturity. I wake up some days and realize that I’m treating God the same way I treated my dad. Apparently immaturity doesn’t get treated and overcome in one good blast. It takes a lifetime of work. I’m glad for my dad, and I miss him. I’m glad for a Heavenly Father, and I’m still in training. I will do my best to honor and give thanks to both this Father’s Day.