“You Don’t Look So Good”

My dad had a tradition. We would be driving down the road somewhere, and he would look over at me and say, "You don't look so good. You look like you are getting sick." Then he would pull off into a gas station and get me a drink.

Last week I took Gunnison with me to do some work. I wanted to carry on my dad's tradition. On the way home, I said, "You don’t look so good," and then pulled into a gas station and got him a snack.

I drove home the slow way around Lake Lansing and chatted with Gunnison. He doesn't talk much, and I didn't need him to. It was enough just to be together.

I thought about my dad and how he could make a big deal out of anything — like the time we were so broke we couldn't afford a Christmas tree, and he made us all feel like cutting one out of the woods was a grand adventure.

I want that for my children. Memories they will have after I am gone. Things you couldn't buy if you wanted to and things you don’t need any money to have. I want them to have traditions that they will pass on to their children. As I drove around the lake, I was feeling proud of myself.

When we arrived home, Gunnison was greeted by his mother, who said, "Oh, can I have a piece of your snack?"

"No," he said. "Dad says I am getting sick."

Bless you, 

• Pastor.