Something good is going to happen

My daughter was 12 when her father died. In that short time he packed in a lot of parenting, teaching her life skills that serve her well today as a 23 year old adult. I was amazed. I didn't even realize it until after he was gone.

That first fall we were outside doing yard work. I took a small hack saw to a large branch that had fallen from our huge maple tree. I wasn't getting the job done with that little saw. She said that she knew what could cut it better and came out of the garage with safety goggles and a reciprocating saw. She attached the blade, plugged it in and with flourish and a big saw sound, she had that branch cut in minutes. When I asked how had she learned to use that saw? she said "Daddy taught me".

In the coming months and years I found out she knew how to check all the fluids on the car, use every power tool we had and even change the filter on the furnace. We discovered that one by accident. She told me she didn't know how at first.Changing the filter involved going into the crawl space which is none too pleasant for a tall person and she is almost 6 feet tall. My brother attempted it first but came out and said he couldn't figure out how to remove it. She piped up and said it was easy just turn the screws in the corners....we turned our heads to look at her...and as she put her head up she realized her mistake....busted!! Get your coveralls on young lady and get into that crawl space!

We have pictures of her up on the ladder with her dad, cleaning out the eaves trough and painting the house. They had gone to Karate together too. All this nontraditional training influenced the sports she chose. She was nervous about gym class in high school but by grade 10 found enjoyment on the Wrestling team (greco roman) and later, the Senior Boys Football team. So the girl that was afraid to take gym in grade 9 went on to win a gold medal in wrestling locally, a silver in the region, placed 6th in the province and went to Nationals in Saskatchewan. With training, time and determination she made herself into an athlete.

I definitely think she was encouraged to try these sports because of her dad's early influence. I wanted her to do swimming...I loved watching her do laps with her long, strong arms and legs propelling her through the water, flipping herself in turns at the wall. I was never the athlete in the family so it was a joy to watch her competence. It was her Dad who was a natural at things like skiing, looking like a professional on the first day out while I sulked in the ski lodge due to my lack of co-ordination. She however liked the aggressive physical challenge of sports like wrestling and football.

And what occupation did she chose? Hairdressing! I love the unexpected twist! She has enormous design talent and loves styling, working with her hands and serving clients needs. She LOVES it! Talent will always out.

So as we come up to Christmas, I think about these good memories and of course miss John's presence. I stopped by the cemetery yesterday for a moment of reflection and prayer.

One of the ways we remember John is something that my daughter started years ago. Whenever we would see one of the trucks belonging to the company he worked for, she would say "Something good is going to happen!". Well, yesterday while I was at rehab 3 of those trucks showed up. They were working within several feet of where I spend hours of my time every week. I got to see the familiar company logo, the one that was parked in my driveway for years, the familiar uniform I put through the wash more times than I can count. And I thank God that I had the opportunity, the privilege to make those memories.

Merry Christmas! Something good is going to happen, indeed.