I remember doing a lot of watching of my dad.
I have early memories of his Twin Lakes Club in Wrightwood, CA, watching him and my grandfather fixing things, and watching my dad playing and teaching racquetball, tennis, and handball.
I remember watching him building a house in our backyard for my grandparents, and planting fruitless mulberry trees.
I remember him showing me his architecture offices, his blueprint machines, his plotter printer, his landscape drawings.
I also remember seeing him sick in the hospital, sick but bright-eyed and warm to be near.
I remember a lot of *places* with my dad. Like offices, backyards, building sites, tool sheds, train sets, places with equipment, where stuff happened, where stuff was built or fixed.
And he was always showing me things.
And when I was older, I remember watching him in matters of faith as well. We talked about Jesus, about scripture, about theology. I saw him firm in faith and hope and grace, I can attest to that.
But now, even if I can't watch him anymore, my dad was watched, and continues to be watched, by the Lord, by his savior and God. The Lord of all sees him, and knows him as one of his own. The Lord knows his life, his deeds, and his heart completely, and sees him and loves him today.
As I get even older, the Lord willing, I have hope that I will know my dad even better, as I walk down paths that he walked before me. Even if I can't see him, I hope I still can learn things from him, as my life experiences bring memories of him to mind. Or even as I unconsciously imitate him, because of how much time I've spent with him throughout my life.
And as I continue to follow my God and his God, keeping my eyes "fixed on Him", and be changed by the same Holy Spirit, I hope to be close to my dad in that way as well, as I pursue the same Lord and Savior, and walk down the same path of faith.
My father is with the Lord. And I look forward to the day when I will see him and walk with him once more.
