“When my mother’s father died of a heart attack–she was sixteen at the time–it was my father, only seventeen, who stepped in and took control of the household. Although they’d been dating less than a year, he cooked breakfast for my mother’s family, did chores in the afternoons, and became a dad to her young brother. . . . He was from my earliest memories, the person others came to. . . . [H]e never complained.” Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom included this account in the book he wrote about a dying Haitian orphan he and his wife cared for during the child’s final days. Chika was a resident in the orphanage Albom sponsors and helps lead. He and his wife provided love, comfort, and care Chika would not otherwise have received.
Albom’s father’s life changed when his girlfriend’s father died. The elder Albom’s sacrifice of time and effort manifests itself today in Mitch’s love and sacrifice, emotional and financial for Chika.
As we might imagine, the emotional and financial toll would be enormous. Yet, Albom says, “Chika gave us the blessing of having a family, even late in life. Her courage was an inspiration and continues to motivate us to take care of all the other kids [at the Haitian orphanage].”
By example, Albom’s father planted the seed of sacrifice in his son. Now, Albom has visited the orphanage more than 130 times, going monthly and staying for days at a time planting seeds into many more lives.
All fathers plant seeds. Some plant loneliness and pain through abuse or absence. Some cultivate crops reaping strength of character and heart.
When I was a small child, I discovered that the house was warm because my father loaded the furnace every winter morning before I got out of bed.
When I was nearly grown, I discovered that my father was the kind of man who stuck by his wife even if she was, as he said, no longer “herself” because of the emotional challenges and trauma she had suffered in her youth.
Our world is imperfect. That makes some people question God’s existence. A perfect God, they reason, would make a perfect world.
Yet this kind of world is the only place where we can learn about strength of character and heart. It’s the only kind of world that can shape heroes.
It’s what a perfect God would realize we need. Not all heroes are dads. Not all dads are heroes.
If your dad has been a hero, thank him. If he’s gone, thank God for him.
“Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26~
That’s quite an inspiring story, Nancy. Thanks for sharing. And for those who haven’t had a “hero” dad, we have an amazing heavenly dad.
We do, indeed, Annie. Thanks and God bless!
A beautiful and inspiring post! Thank you.
Thank you, Janet. God bless!
Nancy, thank you for sharing this story which reminds us of the influence we can have on others. I’m thankful for the father I had who loved teaching but did extra jobs to provide for our family. Sacrifice indeed “plants seeds of hope.”
Thanks, Jeannie. I had a great dad too. Our dads were great examples of how to live rightly. God bless!
We’re always planting seeds, whether we realize it or not. Thanks for such a beautiful story to remind us of that.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Leigh. God bless!
I am thankful God gave me a wonderful earthly Daddy. He is in Heaven now and I miss him very much.
I miss my dad too. Thanks, Melissa. God bless!
Thank you for the great inspiration. May we all plant seeds like this man.
May we, indeed, Yvonne. Thanks and God bless!
Nancy, this is one of the most beautiful pieces you’ve ever written. The sacrifice of others to help a child, an orphanage, or a spouse with loving care and tenderness is so inspirational. We have fewer people like this nowadays, it seems. Lord, help us to follow in your steps.
Amen, Melinda. Thanks and God bless!
I’m so grateful God is a loving father to us all despite what our earthly fathers do. Not all are heroes, though some are. My dad was not, but he showed me love and taught me so many things I appreciate. And thank the Lord, he found Jesus in the end.
So glad he did, Jessica. Thanks and God bless!
I appreciate the analogy of planting seeds. Thanks for honoring fathers, and reminding us there is perfection alone in our heavenly father.
God is the only source of perfection. Thanks, Sylvia. God bless!
Nancy, my mother-in-law’s father died of a heart attack singing in church when she was only sixteen. Sad to lose a father so young. I love this thought, ‘Yet this kind of world is the only place where we can learn about strength of character and heart. It’s the only kind of world that can shape heroes.”
That is sad, Karen. I wonder if he woke up singing in heaven. But the loss here would be unfathomable. Thanks and God bless.