A Bittersweet Father's Day

My father died nearly eight years ago, and I find myself thinking of him more and more with each passing year.   My eulogy at his funeral did not fully capture the towering presence he was in my life, and he remains so in death.  Al Sturgeon (Pepperdine) captures my thoughts this Father's Day, including this wonderful song from Chet Atkins:

 

When I was young
My dad would say
"C'mon son, let's go out and play"
Sometimes it seems like yesterday

And I'd climb up the closet shelf
When I was all by myself
Grab his hat and fix the brim
Pretending I was him

No matter how hard I try
No matter how many tears I cry
No matter how many years go by
I still can't say good-bye

He always took care
Of Mom and me
We all cut down a Christmas tree
He always had some time for me

Wind blows through the trees
Street lights, they still shine bright
Most things are the same
But I miss my dad tonight

I walked by a Salvation Army store
Saw a hat like my daddy wore
Tried it on when I walked in
Still trying to be like him

No matter how hard I try
No matter how many years go by
No matter how many tears I cry
I still can't say good-bye