By Marygrace Lomboy
Today is Father’s Day, June 16th, 2013, and I am remembering my Dad and also reflecting back on what happened last Father’s Day. It was the first Father’s Day without him. He passed away a few months before and it felt so incredibly odd to me to have this day happen without him. He had always been there. The day went on and we celebrated my husband—a great dad to our children, but I still felt this empty hole in my heart.
We were finishing up a nice cook out in the backyard, the sun was shining and we were just relaxing, listening to music. A song came on the radio that reminded me of my Dad—and it hit me again…I started to cry. I told my son and my husband who were sitting there with me just how much I missed my Dad and wonder where he is right now. Not even a minute went by when my son said “Oh wow—look up above! There is a rainbow over us!” I said, “Christian—how can that be, it’s sunny out!” Just when we looked up—there it was…There was a beautiful rainbow and cloud formation in the shape of a bird soaring over us to heaven. I knew that was a sign from my Dad that happened with such great timing and grace. I had my cell phone with me and managed to take a few pictures, as the rainbow formation lasted only a period of about 30 seconds.
That was my gift on my first Father’s Day without my Dad. As it turns out—I really wasn’t without him. He was with me and will always be with me each and every Father’s day to come.