He pushes them to take risks when I'm too afraid.
He tells them how to use a socket wrench, shake a hand, work a compass, and paddle a canoe.
He helps me be firm when I want to be too easy, and he helps me stay calm when I didn't know I could.
He tells our girl that she's pretty and valuable, and he puts on a suit and tie to take her to dinner.
He mysteriously shows up at the perfect moment with a screwdriver, or duct tape, or an ace bandage, and he knows how to let go of a bike seat at just the right moment.
He handles all the dog poop, tile grout, and algebra.
He coaches and prays and quiets and scolds and laughs and pushes and pulls with a courage and will that is the bedrock to the rest of us.
Happy Father's Day to the far better half of this team--the man who is, in every sense, a miracle.
A lovely tribute!
Posted by: Barbara H. | Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 07:50 AM
amen - I am also blessed with a good and Godly husband - no children but the Lord brings people into our lives who need a strong man.
Posted by: Linda Sue | Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 09:54 AM
Any man who does dog poop.... oh, and the garbage... oh, and those kids-with-growing-pains-who-need-a-hot-bath-in-the-middle-of-the-night... yes, those kind of men... they really do need medals!
Or maybe...our prayers -- respect -- love.
Gracefully, eloquently... you've just shown me how. Beautiful!
Thank you.
And, Shannon? Any word you choose to tap out in this space?
I count it pure grace and you always bless and God's given you a gift. A gift always remains a gift-- waiting to be given.
Thank you for the generous, life-giving, fearless, *brilliant* giving of your gift in this place, Shannon. It is no small matter.
You are a radiant light on a hill.
Shine on, sister... shine on!
Holding you in the highest (happiest!) esteem....
All's grace,
Ann
Posted by: Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience | Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Well, not that I ever want to follow an invaluable Voskamp comment (!!) but girl, this was beautiful. "...how to let go of a bike seat at just the right moment." made me teary.
Love you.
Posted by: Arianne (To Think Is To Create) | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Love you too, dearie. (And yes, I've saved all the Voskamp comments and have threatened to publish them in a book, which would surely be entirely more lovely than anything I've ever written. *grin*)
Posted by: Shannon | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Sweet Ann, you always make my whole week...
Posted by: Shannon | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Just now getting around to your blog after a few days away. Yes, you have a gift with words but your hubby is a deserving object of your sweet sentiment!
Posted by: hogphan | Monday, June 21, 2010 at 01:44 PM
What a lovely tribute! You certainly have a way with words!
Posted by: Dawn @ Wherever He Leads | Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Lovely. Really. The last picture needs to be at every wedding...blown up and joyfully celebrated.
Posted by: Kathy Gillen | Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 07:00 PM
What a beautiful tribute!
I particularly like that last photo. The dad that prays w/ his kids is a good man indeed.
Posted by: Stephanie | Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 12:50 AM
A blessing. Thank you.
Posted by: JeneeLyn | Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Love the first line...cause that's true here too.
Beautiful post.
Posted by: Sarah@Clover Lane | Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Beautiful, Shannon. Your children are growing up blessed. It was a kick reading your words, because I did a Father's Day post, too, about how dads nudge their kids to go on and try, while we moms would rather our darlings don't risk. I think kids are blessed by having both.
I saw that firsthand while our four girls were growing up. My husband and I have been married decades longer than you two, but I still think he's amazing. Keep remembering that you started as a couple and when your children grow up, you'll be back to the two of you. We decided early on we wouldn't let being mom and dad bury being husband and wife. Take it from me, that pays BIG benefits!
Posted by: Lenore Buth | Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 06:43 PM
MUST. STOP. READING YOUR BLOG. AT WORK. Sniff Sniff... SO proud of my big bubba!!! Love you all!
Fafa
Posted by: Martha Huff | Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 07:57 AM
How awesome! It is such a privilege to have a wonderful husband, and to be able to share your love for him with the world! It blesses my heart to see other women showing off their hubbies :0)
Posted by: Naomi | Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Beautiful. Love this.
Posted by: MM | Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 09:49 AM
And buys discontinued lipstick....you are a lucky gal. And your boys have a perfect example of all the things a man should be. Bless you all.
Posted by: jrmx4@att.net | Saturday, July 03, 2010 at 09:26 AM
your father's day post reminded me of how one of our sil buys his daughters flowers on their birthdays ~ it's so special. i also remember how our other sil would take his daughter out on dates, such special father/daughter times. and now three of our granddaughters are wed. how quickly these little girls grow-up. thankful their fathers (and mothers) taught them well.
Posted by: teresa | Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 03:54 PM
I love the name of your blog, we can all relate to rocks in the dryer. I love your slogan and thought of it the other day when we returned home to a cool air conditioned living room and realized the bathroom door was open and of course, the window was even more open. I love the myth busters thing, my husband watches that show too. Last but not least, I LOVE your Father's Day post! The pictures and the things you wrote were in perfect balance...beautiful. You and your kids are lucky to have such a wonderful man in your life. He is lucky to have a wife that is grateful and appreciates him. Great job!
Posted by: Lisa | Friday, July 16, 2010 at 07:47 AM
This is such a wonderful tribute to your husband and the father of your children. I am really looking forward to reading more of what you have to write!
Posted by: Desiree Cruz | Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 08:17 AM
This is such a wonderful tribute to your husband and the father of your children. I am really looking forward to reading more of what you have to write!
Posted by: Desiree Cruz | Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 08:25 AM