Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day

Like Mother's Day, Father's Day is a really bittersweet time in our house. I think many of the emotions and much of sentiment is the same as my Mother's Day post entitled Honor. So in an effort to not repeat myself, today I simply want to leave you with a few thoughts, a few pictures, and a small request.

This first thing I want to share is how fortunate I am to have a wonderful dad (and stepdad, father-in-law, and stepfather-in-law). My dad has always encouraged my sister and I in our pursuits... even standing out in the rain during our soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse games. When I was little, he'd take me to the local five and dime with all my pennies that I had earned folding laundry so that I could by plastic charms to go on my plastic charm necklace. He values time with family, and even still this summer, rents a house for a week so that we can all be together. My dad was there to welcome his first grandson, our sweet little Isaac, into the world, and later looked for the fullest and most beautiful mums to line the altar at Isaac's memorial service. I have a great dad.

The second thing I want to share is that I know that not everyone does... have an involved, caring father, I mean. I know that some people reading this may have lost their dad, may have never known their dad, whose dads may be absent, or whose dads may be involved in addictive or abusive patterns of behavior. What I want you to know is that you have a Father in heaven who loves you and adores you.

Lastly, I just wanted to share publicly how proud I am of Spencer as Isaac's dad. When I was pregnant with Isaac, Spence would love to just casually put his hand over my stomach while we were sitting watching tv or talking so that he could feel Isaac move. He would talk to him and say goodnight to him every night before bed. He came to every one of our countless (believe me... they were countless!) doctor's appointments, and willingly came joined in the search to find Isaac the perfect blanket and outfit.

On the day Isaac was born, watching Spencer hold him and love him was amazing. There was something both so strong and so tender in the way Spencer held Isaac. When our friends and family came in to meet Isaac and hold him, Spencer would be right there, making sure each person was gentle with him... he is such a protector. Spencer lead us in praying together with Isaac, and watching a man love his son is one of the most beautiful things.

So as I leave you with a few pictures of our sweet son with his daddy, I'd like to make this request: if you have a word of encouragement or an affirmation as a dad for Spencer today, would you leave a comment? I know your words will touch his heart.










32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spencer, the fact that you are a wonderful daddy emanates through these beautiful photos. I ache for your heart that does not have your precious son to hold in his arms. I wish you peace on this special day. I am so glad you are united in love as a couple and as parents to sweet Isaac.
Sarah (Perth, Western Australia)

Lauren said...

Dearest Spencer,

I have thought of you and prayed for you throughout the weekend. I am sure that this day is hard for you and yet wonderfully happy too knowing that you are a Daddy and that you have a son that you are so proud of and so in love with.

Being friends with Stacy, faithfully following the blog, looking at all the pictures and knowing how much you are determined to make Isaac proud in all that you did and still do to honor him... there is no doubt that you are AN AMAZING DADDY!

The one verse on my heart for you is Matthew 3:17. "And a voice from Heaven said "this is my Son whom I love, with him I am well pleased." I think the significance of this verse for you is two-fold. Obviously... you feel that way about Isaac. In all you do I see you saying those words, "This is Isaac, who I love, with him I am well pleased." But the other side of that coin is that I know the Lord is saying that of you... and Isaac too would say that of you as his father.

I pray that you have peace today and that you know that God, your Father, is well pleased with you. You are right where he wants you to be and you are faithfully living your life in Him. And Isaac... I know he is proud of you too. I pray that you would not strive for what is already YOURS. Your Father in Heaven, Your son, Your wife and so many others are so proud of you and are well pleased with you. You do not need to do more, be more, or change ANYTHING about how you parent Isaac or who you are as a daddy! You are awesome!

With love.

Lisa said...

Spencer,

Happy Father's Day to you. Your child may not be here on earth with you, but I am sure he is smiling down on you today and lighting the skies with that smile. I hope that knowing that you will someday be reunited with your son will help bring some comfort to your day. He may be gone, but you are still a Father in every possible way.

God Bless,
Lisa (Ohio)

Holly said...

Spencer,
I don't know a lot about you but I can tell without a doubt, just by looking at the photos, that you are a wonderful father. The pictures show caring...tenderness...love. Happy Father's Day!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Spencer,

You are a beautiful picture of all that defines both the words Father and Daddy. You are a protecter of your baby and His Mama, a prayer warrior, a strong leader, a comforting shelter, a fine example and your love for both your sweet Isaac and your beautiful Stacy shines through these pictures and all the pictures we have seen as we have watched you both walk this painful journey with grace and beauty. I know that you ache for your little boy...and I am so sorry for that pain. Please know that you are an incredible example of an amazing, loving, strong father. And your sweet Isaac is indeed proud of you. Some sweet day, you will hold your boy again. And you will be welcomed with the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." Thank you for your father's heart and for having the courage, strength, and grace to love your son and walk this path the way that you have. You are in our continued prayers, dear Spencer...

Kmac said...

May His peace and love fill you everyday. Looking at the pictures of you Spencer with your sweet son Isaac, one word comes to mind- pride. Not only is it obvious that you are proud of your son, but please know that he's smiling down on you and is SO very proud of his daddy.

Continued prayers from Chicagoland, K

Kristin said...

Happy Fathers Day Spencer!
From the first day that I started following Stacy's blog I have prayed for you each time I read her blog. I know without a doubt that you are an awesome father for your son and I wish with all my heart that there was some way you could hold him in your arms today. The pictures of you with Isaac are so precious and have so much power. I want you to know that my husband and I will both be lifting you up today on your first fathers day without your precious son. I can't wait till we all go to heaven and you can hold your precious baby then! Happy fathers day!
-Kristin

Miche said...

Spencer, I know this day is bittersweet for you wishing you had your son her to celebrate with this year.

From talking to Stacy and seeing the pictures the love you have for your son just radiates and we are all proud of you for being so strong in such a difficult situation.

I'm sure Isaac looks down on you with pride each and every day for the way you both honor and cherish him each day.

Happy Father's Day!

Sonya said...

Beautiful post Stacy. Spencer you are such a great Daddy to Isaac and he is so blessed to have you. In the short time that he was with you, you were the best Daddy and loved him and cared for him and that speaks so loudly!! There are so many children out there that go their whole lives and not have as great as a Daddy as Isaac has. I pray that God will speak to your heart today and everyday. May God Bless you both

The Writer Chic said...

I've often heard that the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. There is no doubt, Spencer, that you receive high marks in that regard. Your love for Stacy is so very evident. Isaac and your future children are so blessed to call you Daddy.

Lindsay said...

Spencer,
I am thinking today of you, and every babylost father out there.
I hope you find some joy today. May God hold you in the palm of His hand, and grant you perfect peace.
Happy Father's Day,
Lindsay

AJinVA said...

Spencer-
God touched all of our lives by giving us his only son. He especially touched yours because he chose you to be Issac's father. You honor him every day with your life and have touched us all.

Devon said...

happy father's day spencer! may you find peace and comfort today in knowing you are a wonderful daddy....i am so sorry that your isaac isn't here with you today but i know he is sending you love from up above...

King J's Queen said...

Spencer...We will remember you today in our prayers. May God comfort you on this day, as you remember and celebrate the short life of your precious son, Isaac.

Unknown said...

Happy Father's Day, Spencer! You are such an inspiration to me to keep holding out for a faithful, godly man. The Lord sure knew what he was doing when he chose you to be Isaac's father.

Anonymous said...

Spencer, they say that the best way to be a good Dad is to love the child's mom. You have done that. You have supported Stacy during such a difficult time. You chose life for Isaac, what more love can there be, even knowing God would take him soon. I don't know you or Stacy but I've followed the blog for while. You may not have realized but you have been an example of a Godly man to my husband as we've struggled with some things. He has read about you through this blog and I believe his faith has grown because of your strength you get from God. Thank you.
Nicole

Nicole said...

Happy Father's Day Spencer! Your son is soooooo handsome! All Isaac knew was love, and that's something to be proud of. Thanks for being an example for other Dads to follow.

LeighAnne Gregory said...

Spencer,
Even though you may not hold your precious baby in your arms ,rock him to sleep, feed him a meal or play with him, if you have ever worried for, cried for, wanted nothing but the best for your child you ARE a father. God lends us HIS children for only a time and Issac just happened to become an angel too soon. The best way to have Heaven in your home is to have someone from Heaven in your home. And Issac is there with our Father celebrating for you as you were the BEST dad that he could ever wished or wanted for. Happy Fathers day to a Father of an Angel baby.

Anonymous said...

Spencer - Happy Father's Day to you today. Today was your first and I am sure it was a bittersweet day. You have a son that you love so dearly and you are not able to hold him in your arms. I hope that today brought lots of good memories to remember your sweet Isaac. I am certain that he was right by your side, spending all day with his dad and smiling down on you with pride.

Hugs,
Susi

Kathy Hooper said...

Spencer, God has big plans for you and Isaac is, I'm certain, your teacher for road ahead. The tenderness in your heart and hands will reach to many other children in the future. Father's Day is, I'm sure, so very bittersweet for you, but you are every bit as much a father today as the day your little boy was in your hands. I eagerly wait to see God's plan for you unfold. Bless you for being such a faithful son, father, husband and child of God.

Taylor said...

Spencer, you are a wonderful example of a father. We are so thankful to have you guys to look up to in your hearts for your family and for Christ. Thank you for being the example that you are; we are thinking of you and praying for you today. We hope that you feel honored this Father's Day and every Father's Day. Taylor and Lenny

Sandy said...

Spenc,
You have always been there for me over the many years we have known each other. Whether is was just a walk around campus to laugh or cry about things that seem meaningless now, or the talk we had the other day about our babies. I can't tell you enough how much strength you have been for me. Like I told you the other day, you are one of the strongest father's I know. I have seen too many people have babies return to heaven in the last two years, and I am very proud of what you and Stacy have done to keep Isaac's memory alive.
I know this year has been uable to describe, but remember how much joy you bring into people's lives, and what a strong father, husband, and friend you are. You are a source of strengh in your words and actions (that is why I come to you when I need real advice and not, "don't worry, everything will be fine").
Isaac is a very lucky little guy to have parents like you and Stacy.

Cheryl said...

Happy Father's Day Spencer. God wouldn't have given you the gift of Isaac if He didn't know that you would be a great father. Even though Isaac is no longer here with you, you are still a great dad to him.

Praying for you both today and everyday,

Cheryl

Anonymous said...

I am a day late, but I wanted to wish Spencer a Happy Father's Day.

I have no words of strength or wisdom.

Erin said...

Thinking about you both today!

Desiree said...

I cry every single time I see the beautiful pictures of Spencer and Isaac together. The love, tenderness, and pain etched in his face and eyes gets me to my core. I remember reading the stories of Spencer already being a great and involved dad a year ago (when I first started reading.)What a beautiful person and father Spencer is.

Staci said...

Thank you for being the dad that you are. Your love for Isaac is and was absolutely evident and he was a blessed little boy to have the love of his father like he did. Aren't we so blessed that in times of pain we have a Heavenly Father, the ultimate example, to guide and teach us in the ways we should go? I pray that more dads would take your lead for you truly know what it is to love. And, for the husband that you are...well, that deserves a special day, too.

Happy Father's Day. May God bless you.

Null said...

Stacy and Spencer, you are very blessed to have found each other. Seeing the love in your eyes in those beautiful pictures is so touching. Happy Father's day Spencer.

Lorraine said...

Spencer,

It is obvious that your father-heart reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father. You were involved with Isaac from the beginning. You were available to to him from the beginning. And you exercised control of your strength to gently love your son.

May the Lord hold you just as tenderly and be your strength.

Peace to you,
Lorraine (Pella, IA)

Unknown said...

Those picture speak a thousand words. Spencer, Isaac was and still is such a lucky baby to have a Dad dote on him like you and Stacy do! xxx

Anonymous said...

Stacey, I just found your beautiful blog & you and Spencer are such a blessing. I have absolutely no idea what either of you are going through but I can still pray for you & I will. Thank you for being such blessings. And Isaac is beautiful and know that your son loves you and watches down on you.

AngelsAmid said...

I'm really late today. I just want to say I'm sure Isaac is proud to have a great Dad like you =) I'm sure he knows how blessed he was! Always in my prayers...