What one man can do

Today is the anniversary of my Dad's birth. Dad went home to be with the Lord three and a half years ago.   I think about him every day and miss his encouraging and uplifting wisdom. I would do just about anything for the sound of his laughter, his hugs and just to see his smiling eyes.  He was not just a husband to his wife, brother to his siblings, father to his children, grandfather to the grands, and friend to his friends. He was the glue that held us together so to speak.  The leader of the tribe. There is a song that occasionally lingers in my head.  John Denver's "What One Man Can Do." We played this at the memorial service as pictures danced gracefully through each verse.  Pictures of a husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend.  One man who changed to life of a multitude of people.  A leader to the "Mallon" tribe. He taught his family that is was okay to dream, love, make change and stay young. He tried to stay positive in the craziness of the world around him.  Always seeking truth and pushing his loved ones to do the same.  He was a brilliant teacher.  He saw beauty is some of the darkest places.  He loved his tribe deeply.

Family can surly be a funny thing. You can't select members that fit the "Norman Rockwell" idea of family.  It's not like a dodge ball game where the parents are the captains and they take turns picking the players. Family is a tribe.  And, the members of the tribe can, at times, be your biggest supporters.  And sometimes they can be the people who unintentionally hurt you the most. But at the end of the day we gather together and remain a tribe.

Since the leader of our tribe is no longer with us life in my tribe seems discombobulated.  Everyone seems to have either gathered their tee-pees and pitched them in distant locations.  Other, like myself,  have just pulled the zipper up and only come out to hunt and gather. Life seems to be playing out in slow motion.  And I am frustrated with the progress.  I often want to hit the rewind button.  And go back to the days when family meant more than the occasional text messages. Or a quick poke on Facebook.  Family gatherings don't seem to be a priority anymore.  I honestly can't remember the last time the tribe, as a whole, gathered together.  Maybe this is just another cycle in life.  After all scripture does tell us that a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife. And they shall become one. ~Matthew 19:5  However, they will still be a part of the tribe. Right?

I am certain that the Lord desires us to lean and depend on our family, our tribe.  The greatest gift for me is, and always has been, my family. Even though Dad is no longer physically here we have a piece of him woven into each of us.  And I guess, perhaps when we are all gathered together, that is when I get the warmth of his hugs in Maria's embrace.  To hear his laughter in Thomas' belly laugh. And see his smiling eyes on Christina's face.  I see so much of him in my Mom, my children, nieces, and nephews too. This is why, for me, I long for the tribal gatherings. God is faithful.  He has called each one of us according to His purpose.  As I reflect, on the life of my Dad, I pray that today will be the beginning of a year of jubilee. And that my tribe will once again celebrate and dance around the fire.  And that we will praise God for His foundation and His faithfulness.

"It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family."~ Numbers 2:34

I suppose that there are those who'll say he had it easy
Had it made in fact before he'd ever begun
But they don't know the things I know, I was always with him
It may sound strange, we were more than friends

It's hard to tell the truth, when no one wants to listen
When no one really cares what's going on
And it's hard to stand alone, when you need someone beside you
Your spirit, your faith must be strong

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it young again
Here you see what one man can do

As shaded as his eyes might be, that's how bright his mind is
That's how strong his love for you and me
A friend to all the universe, grandfather of the future
Everything that I would like to be

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it new again
Here you see what one man can do

What one man can do is dream, what one man can do is love
What one man can do is change the world and make it work again
Here you see what one man can do.

"Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family."~Genesis 31:13