Can You See the Impact of a Good Father?
Patriarch. A noble sounding term. The formal definition is the male head of a family or a tribe, and the word can also be used in reference to one regarded as the father or founder of an order or class. Using a less formal – but more familiar - title, we might refer to him as Dad or Daddy, while younger generations might call him Granddaddy or even Papa. Regardless, these designations refer to his position as one that is a place of prominence in the family. His progeny are so blessed when his life is one that is lived by demonstrating the best example of what it means to be the leader of his family.
In recent days, I was reminded about the impact of patriarchs on families in different ways. A few days ago, precious friends laid their father and grandfather to rest. One of the songs selected for his service was one I always loved but was never able to claim. I am so thankful, however, that the lyrics described their experience with him. The song was Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn:
I remember daddy's hands folded silently in prayer
And reachin' out to hold me, when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind
I remember daddy's hands how they held my mama tight
And patted my back for something done right
There are things that I'd forgotten that I loved about the man
But I'll always remember the love in daddy's hands
I remember daddy's hands workin' 'til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over, I'd live my life again
And never take for granted the love in daddy's hands
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand
There was always love in daddy's hands
This also caused me to think about my recent session with the Walters family – and more specifically, Mr. Wayne, the precious patriarch of their family. It was so clear to me that he had made such an enormous impact on three generations – who clearly love him so very much. There was so much adoration in the eyes of his two daughters, his granddaughter, and in his great-granddaughter – who stayed in his lap for much of the session and even took the lead in pushing his wheelchair back to the car. Clearly, Mr. Wayne has been a wonderful example of love and leadership, and his influence is apparent in the family men, as well. In quiet moments with me, I truly saw Mr. Wayne – as the tears filled his eyes when he was holding the picture of his late wife during a happy time. I saw his strength as he gazed out over the lake, and I thought about him as a veteran of our armed forces. I was blessed to get to know him.
I want to thank the Walters family for trusting me to capture these images. We planned this shoot for months, and I am so very honored to have been a part of it and to have been able to see how important Mr. Wayne is to all of them. If this is your family experience – treasure your precious moments…capture them. There is no more valuable treasure on earth…
Blessings ~
Lisa