Dad day

Dad,

I’ve watched mountains in the distance creep closer for hours until finally we were upon them.
I’ve seen water flow by in rivers and seem to never end, fighting fish all the way
I’ve seen rain and snow and the sun creep by day by day
And people pass me every day.
I don’t know them, they don’t know me
We may bump shoulders or elbows, but we may never see each other again.
I’ve seen them, I know them living, standing active beasts that they are
Underneath them, I know the ground is firm.
I know the earth is solid and pushes back on them.
But I wonder where their faith comes from.
Why do they believe in their steps?
Why do they believe in where they are going?
What is their future?
Do they know?
Do they care?

I don’t know my future. But I know my ground is firm.
Rooted perhaps a bit too firmly. Steadfast in the green lushness of the fertility;
Earth.
It gives life that grows green and brown and blooming.
Constant, this strength.
Timeless, this faith I have is not rooted in God.
It’s rooted in an understanding.
It’s all put together.
It all serves the other in intrinsic graceful circles.
The flower blooms and the bee flourishes and the flower blooms…
I am but a bud on this earth.
I have faith in my roots.
I have faith in the full blossom of life.
I have faith in the day my petals will brown and feed the earth.
My ground is firm and pushes back, as my father’s was.
The nourishment is not forgetful.
Faith is rooted in the earth and it grows lush and green.
Its blossoms sparkle on the mountainside.

Photo of my dad way back when … 1977 we think.