Sunday, June 15, 2008

How to Make a Grown Man Cry

Thursday night when Gus picked up the mail there was a small padded envelope addressed to Gus from our youngest son. I have not mentioned it before because I wanted to protect him, but our youngest son just returned from fighting in Iraq. Even though the package was addressed to Gus, he passed it to me and left the room. As soon as I opened it, I knew what it was and that it was meant for his Dad. Below is a picture of our son with what the package contained, and what was written in the card. It was enough to make a grown man cry.



Happy Father’s Day to my sweet husband, Gus the father of our four children.


Happy Father’s Day to my dear father-in-law who fought in the Korean War as a sailor and is the only father I have.


Happy Father’s Day to my oldest son, G, who is a new father this year. This is his first Father’s Day.


Happy Father’s Day to my middle son, who loves his kids so much.


Happy Father’s Day to all our service men who fight to keep us safe, who fight to keep us free.


Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there who love their children with unconditional love.

23 comments:

Beth said...

Oh Kathi how beautiful. Goose bumps and wet cheeks here just reading it. Happy Father's Day to you and your family.

Kathie Brown said...

Beth, thank you. Yeah, we both had wet cheeks here.

Anonymous said...

Damn it. Now you made me cry. Wow. You got it all, gal.

Happy Father's Day to the fathers in your family and to you.

I hear cardinals, Carolina wrens, grackle babies wanting fed, and other nature sounds and the sky in the east is getting brighter and the air is cool and the doors are open and so are the windows. I am blessed on this Father's Day morning.

Pappy said...

Kathie, It's a little hard to see what I'm typing here. I think this is a great tribute to all the father's mentioned here. You have reminded me that like yours, my father-in-law, was a great mentor to me for as long as he lived. Thank you for sharing this special moment. Pappy

Ruth said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing something so personal and special. All the best to the wonderful men in your life.

bobbie said...

Yep. Made me cry too. That was quite a Fathers' Day gift.

Thanks for your comments. I added a note to my SkyWatch post, explaining the changes.

Stacey Olson said...

Kathie, this is beautiful. I am so glad that your baby is finally home safe. You are truely blessed with an honorable group of men in your life.
Thanks for sharing this with us all.Maybe the news needs to read these blogs would make the world a much better place.. the honesty and sincerity..
You asked about the mountains in my post. This spot is a scenic highway North of Cody, Wy, It winds through the mountains and in the summer takes you to either Cooke City, MT and into Yellowstone Park. Or RedLodge Montana.. Very beautiful. Happy Fathers Day to the men in your life. and you as well

Kathie Brown said...

Abe, I am quite blessed myself. Thank you. Sounds like a lovely day where you are.

Pappy, I thought you'd like this post. Hope your Father's Day is a good one.

Ruth, thank you. I like to be open but I have been cautious. Reading other's posts has made me feel more comfortable with sharing my personal life and feelings. Julie Zickefoose wrote an excellent post about why she blogs about her personal life that really opened my eyes.

Bobbie, thank you. Wish I could have put a box of tissues out there for you! I'll come read what you had to say. Thanks for dropping by.

Stacy, thank you for your kind and sincere thoughts. I have been to Cody a long time ago, but never north on that route you speak of. I love Cody and Yellowstone. I hope to travel back there again some day. I have a piece of petrified wood I bought at some rock shop there in Cody. I use it as a door stop in my master bath to keep the wind from slamming the door when the windows are open. I think of Cody and Yellowstone every time I see it!

Naturegirl said...

Kathi what a beautiful post! I am sure your dear H. truly appreciated this special card from his boy!
I was in Arizona for the winter and did many a post about my experiences!! Love your state! We spent time in Scottsdale and toured and hiked around! The cacti were in blossom then! We are heading back next winter!Wishing your dear H. the Happiest Fathers Day!

Anonymous said...

Kathie,

You do your best to raise your children.
If you receive something like that card from one of them, then you know you have done a great job.

Kind regards
Roy

Shelley said...

Kathie - what a beautiful family you have. This posting brought a lot of tears to my eyes! Very touching.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

This is a very special post Kathi. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the wonderful card and medal that your son sent to his Dad.

Jules said...

It isn't Fathers' Day until September here, but this wonderful post is appropriate at anytime of the year!!!

Doug Taron said...

What a great post. What a great son. I'm sure you and Gus are very proud.

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW!!!! What a wonderful Father's Day gift!!!! That's fantastic Kathie, thanks so much for sharing this sweet, touching story!!!! xoxo

jalynn01 said...

Beautiful, touching, and emotional. You must be so proud and definitely oh so blessed! Thanks for sharing with us!

Neva said...

You brought a tear to my eye!I am glad your some is safely home from Iraq!

Kathie Brown said...

Stacy: Opps! I need to make a correction. I have never been to Cody, WY. It is Dubois I am thinking of. I always get those 2 mixed up!

Nature Girl, thank you for your kinds thoughts. I remember that you were here back then. I read some of your posts. I'm glad you enjoy our state so much. Winter is a great time to be here. Gus says thanks!

Roy, thank you for your kind regards. All I can say is we did our best to love them unconditionally.

Shellmo, It's nice to share such a special moment and know that it touches the lives of others. Thank you for commenting and letting me know.

Lynne, thank you for your comments and for visitng my blog.

Jules, thank you so much for saying so. Glad you dropped by!

Doug, we are very proud and don't you know I was holding my breath until he returned safely! It's been a long 15 months!

scrapbookideas, I was hoping you would get to read this. Thank you for saying so. We were all choked up around here.

jalynn01, you hit the nail on the head. We are so proud of him though, as a mom, I'd rather have him safe at home! Now he is and we will enjoy each moment, for I have no idea how soon they will send him back or move him on to Afganisatn instead. Having him safe makes me think all the more of those who are still over there and I lift my heart in prayer for each of them.

Neva, thank you and welcome!

me ann my camera said...

Every one else has said it already, but just to say this was a wonderful post.

TR Ryan said...

Re-title - How to make grown MEN cry. Count me among them. What a beautiful post. You both must be so proud.

Unknown said...

Mom,

It was a very nice post, I'm glad that you sent me the link. I read this and I think... if only I can do as good a job at raising my own two kids as you and dad did with us... I know everything will be okay. You have both been (and continue to be) amazing, awesome and wonderful parents. I'm so glad that you and Dad stuck through the hard times and have such a wonderful relationship today. I am so happy for you guys. I plan to have something as special as that someday...

Alex always has been such a sweet kid, brother and friend. I think thats why God gave me the two brothers that I have, so I could always have 2 best friends.

Love Chris

Amy said...

What an awesome gift! I teared up just reading it. I can't imagine out your husband felt. Wonderful, thanks for sharing this very uplifting gift.

Kathie Brown said...

meannmycamera, thank you also.

t.r. thanks for your honesty. Yes, we are very proud of him.

Chris, what a surprise! You are a wonderful father and you are doing a great job. We are so proud of you too!

Amy, I have only seen him this choked up a few times in his life. This was very special. Thank you.