I love my dad for a number of reasons. Here’s one of them.
I’ve been thinking recently about returning to live in Lawrence, Kansas. I went to college there and ended up staying for over twenty-five years. I’ve had a strange resistance to going back even though I love it, possibly because of a twist in my psychology having to do with “the deserving of happiness.”
Anyway, without exception, the friends I’ve mentioned it to have all been encouraging about it, because…why not? They are my friends after all. I’ve welcomed their “I heart Lawrence endorsements.”
My dad, on the other hand, sent me this:
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
—from Psalm 107
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things
Well, when you put it that way…
Many of you know that I am not a believer, but still, how do you ignore the weight of a suggestion that comes in such a beautiful and lyrical form? Plus, I need a break from political strife and everyone knows that Lawrence, Kansas is a politics-free paradise, right?
Love you dad.