Reece Gardner: Let your father know how much you love him

Let's talk about Father’s Day today, from the perspective of past, present and future experiences. It is all about love, and I hope after you read this column you will reach out to your loved ones to let them know how much you love and appreciate them. 

Let's begin with this account of father-daughter love from the Womanatics Group:

“I’m running late for a meeting,” he said, as he slung his coat over his shoulder and bounded out of the house.

As he drove away, his 7-year-old daughter came running down the stairs calling to him, "Daddy, wait," but he had already left. "He forgot to give me a goodbye kiss," she whispered in a voice that trembled with disappointment. 

She immediately dialed his cell phone, and said, "You left without giving me a kiss." 

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart," he said, his voice contrite.

"It's OK, Daddy," she said, trying to be all grown up. 

She then finished her breakfast, picked up her school bag and walked out the door, her shoulders slumped. As she climbed  down the steps, a car glided to a stop outside the house.

Her dad got out of the car. She ran to him, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. 

“I'm sorry I forgot,” he said, as he picked her up and hugged her. 

Fifteen years later, no one would remember he was late for a meeting, but a little girl would never ever forget her father drove all the way back home just to kiss her goodbye.  

This probably reminded many of you of similar experiences you have had. For me, I recall the time when my daughter Jessica was 6 years of age. It was customary for me to drive her to school and just as customary for me to walk her to her classroom, but on this particular morning I was very busy. 

I will never forget the look of disappointment on her face when I told her I wouldn't have time to walk with her to class that morning. But I will always be thankful that upon seeing her look of disappointment I immediately reversed that decision and proudly held her hand as we walked happily to her class together.

We all have wonderful memories like these. I won't ever forget how my son Reece, after I would drop him off at school, would wave goodbye to me as he turned the corner heading to his classroom. 

But I always knew not to leave immediately because he would invariably re-appear to wave goodbye to me again, plus one more time. That was my little boy seeking comfort and security. 

One more example of love, which I know My Emma would appreciate: A lovely little girl was holding two apples in her hands. Her mom came in and softly asked her little daughter with a smile, “Honey, could you give your mom one of those apples?”

The girl paused for a second and suddenly took a quick bite on one apple and then a quick bite on the other.  Her mom felt the smile on her face freeze, but she tried hard not to reveal her disappointment. 

Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mom, and said, "Mommy, here you are. This is the sweeter one!"

I have had many "magical" moments like these with my three children — Jessica, Reece and Jason. They have blessed my life beyond description! 

Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend.