Welcome to "Dad Week" on 2THEHEART!
This will be a week of stories, poems and quotes for the Dads in our lives.
"If you take being a father seriously,
you'll know that you're not big enough for
the job, not by yourself...
Being a father will put you on your knees
if nothing else ever did."
-E. Elliot
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The newest 2TheHeart card winning entry, submitted by Colleen Duval is up at OhAngel ecards. Congratulations Colleen! You can see Colleen's card and other contest winners here: www.2theheart.com/free_ecards_/
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Some of you may have read today's story on my web page. I apologize if you have read it before, but today I am breaking with our "first-run" rule to run a story very special to me. It is about my husband, Marty - the greatest father I have ever known in my life. Marty, thank you for being the father of our children and having a profound influence that will make a difference in the world. I love you, honey.
This story can be found in "Stories for a Dad's Heart" at Barnes & Noble. I am honored to be a part of a wonderful book, along with authors such as Max Lucado, Charles Swindoll, Gary Smalley and many other truly inspiring writers. You may order this book in time for Father's Day at Barnes & Noble.
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Daddy Hands
by Susan Fahncke
I awoke in the night to find my husband, Marty, gently rocking our baby son, Noah. I stood for a moment in the doorway, watching this amazing man with whom I was so blessed to share my life, lovingly stroke Noah's fat pink cheeks in an effort to comfort him. I felt in my heart that something was seriously wrong with Noah. This was one of several nights Noah had been up, burning with a high fever.
Tears filled my eyes as I watched my beautiful husband move Noah's little cheek up against his own chest, so that Noah could feel the vibrations of his voice. Noah is deaf. Learning to comfort him has brought on a whole new way of thinking for us. We relied on our voices, a soothing lullaby, audio toys, and music to comfort our other children. But with Noah, we need to use touch, his soft blankie, sight, the feel of our voices, and most importantly, the use of sign language to communicate emotions and a sense of comfort to him.
My husband made the sign for "I love you" with his hand and I saw a tear roll down his cheek as he placed Noah's tiny, weak hand on top of his.
We had taken Noah to the doctor more times than I can remember. It had been a week and a half and Noah's fever remained very high and very dangerous, despite everything the doctor or we had tried. I knew in my soul the way only a mother can know, that Noah was in trouble.
I gently touched my husband's shoulder and we looked into each other's eyes with the same fear and knowledge that Noah's wasn't getting any better. Ioffered to take over for him, but he shook his head, and once again, I was amazed at this wonderful man who is the father of my children. When many fathers would have gladly handed over the parenting duties for some much needed sleep, my husband stayed stubbornly and resolutely with our child.
When morning finally came, we called the doctor and were told to bring him in again. We already knew that he would probably put Noah in the hospital.So, we made arrangements for the other children, packed bags for all three of us, and tearfully drove to the doctor's office once again. Our hearts filled with dread, we waited in a small room, different from the usual examining room we had become used to. Our doctor finally came in, looked Noah over, and told us the news we expected. Noah had to be admitted to the hospital. Now.
The drive to the hospital in a neighboring town seemed surreal. I couldn't focus on anything, couldn't think, couldn't stop crying. My husband
reassured me that he felt in his heart that Noah would be okay. We admitted Noah and were taken to his room right away. It was a tortuous night, filledwith horrible tests that made my son's tiny little voice echo though the halls as he screamed over and over.
I felt as if I were shattering from the inside out. My husband never wavered in his faith. He comforted me and Noah, and everyone who called tocheck on Noah. He was a rock.
When the first batch of tests were done, the nurse informed us that a spinal tap would be performed soon. Meningitis was suspected. Marty and I had prayer together with Noah. Our hands intertwined, we held our son and the love of my life lifted his voice to the Lord, telling him how grateful we were for this awesome little spirit with whom he had entrusted us. With tears streaming down his face, he humbly asked the Lord to heal our son. My heart filled with comfort and gratitude.
A short time later, the resident doctor came in. He told us that Noah's first results were back, and that he had Influenza A. No spinal tap was needed! Noah would recover and soon be back to his zesty, tornado little self. And Noah was already standing up in the hospital crib, bouncing like he was on a trampoline. My husband's talk with the Lord was already being answered.
Marty and I grinned at each other through our tears, and waited for Noah to be released from the hospital. Finally, in the middle of the night, our owndoctor came in and told us that it was fine to take Noah home. We couldn't pack fast enough!
A few days later, I was cooking dinner. Noah was healing, slowly but surely. I felt at peace and knew my husband was the greatest father I couldever want for my children. I peeked around the corner into the living room, and chuckled at the picture I saw. There was my husband, sitting in his "daddy chair", Noah in his lap. They were reading a book, dad taking Noah's teeny hands to help him form the signs for the words in the book. They both looked up and caught me watching them, and my husband and I simultaneously signed "I love you" to each other, then to Noah. And then Noah put his little arm up, trying to shape his chubby hand in his own effort to sign "I love you" to his daddy. I watched with tears as my husband carefully helped him form his tiny fingers into the sign with his own gentle hands. Daddy hands.
Susan Fahncke
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The Letter Box:
2theheart,
Thanks so much for winks from God. I fully agree with Viki's philosophy!
-Valerie Kimball, VT
Dear 2TheHeart,
I have been in the hospital for over two weeks and I thank Heaven for my laptop and my 2TheHeart! You have kept me going and keep me full of hope. You are a miracle to me!
-Shirley McFarland, IN
2TheHeart,
Winks From God was a wonderful reminder to not take anything for granted! God sends His messages in many different forms.
-Jeanette F., WY
2TheHeart,
Viki Florkowski's story went 2theheart! I also believe that nothing is coincidental and her story and examples of God's winks reaffirmed my belief.
-Grace Thomas, Virgin Islands
