This image in my mind is vivid and is a constant reminder of my love of serving my Dad. When I finally was "Big" enough to serve at the altar my Dad fitted me with the smallest acolyte gown or cassock available. The only problem was the cassock draped down around my ankles with about a foot to spare. With the experience of a Father who had 5 children he said, "Here we'll take care of that!" and he proceeded to grab a belt from the altar server closet and put it around me and the looped the cassock up and over so I had a great place to put my hands at a funeral on a cold day, but only if it had slits cut into it. Anyway, I was good to go for many years even until I was 16 years old. Because I was only 4' 11 inches when I began driving and constantly got pulled over in my beat up Volkswagen not for wearing a red cassock but because I could barely see over the steering wheel. My license even had a restriction on it reading: Pillow!
In my prime I had grown to about 5' 9" which now after 5 children of my own and soon to be 4 grand children, my measured me last night for a Reader's cassock and I stood 5' 7 1/2" on my tip toes. So, I thought yes Dad is certainly smiling at this sight because he knows it is not how tall you stand but how far you have aspired on the "Ladder of Divine Ascent." In my heart I know it is not the being tonsured a reader and gaining a position in the Orthodox Christian Church but deep down my desire to climb in my heart to be closer to God and become One with Him. This is in purpose by serving the One True God, in His original Church knowing the gates of hell will never prevail against it and growing in knowledge and experience of not just the God given word but the truly inspired lives of those who have gone on before us. Love ya Dad!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
One of the first memories
It must have been in 1960 and I was just 4 years old. My two older brothers Mike and Pat and two older sisters Melody and Carole were all great at initiating the youngest in the fine art of tree climbing. I don't remember you Dad being there or climbing with us but I do remember that we had a three level tree house. Mom was a wreck and you seemed it was Ok, or at least that is what this 4 year seems to think happened. Maybe Dad you weren't that concerned because you were busy working at the Culligan business you started after the war.
After I turned 5 years old, you sold the business and became ordained as a deacon and then a Priest. Boy, was I proud of you. I was beaming because I had a Priest for a Father. From that day that you were ordained I wanted to be a Priest like you. In so many ways I wanted to be like you... but later we clashed in life but that time was a very precious memory.
The day you were ordained I sat out on the front steps of the church waiting for the Bishop. When he came I stood up and greeted him I think, but he asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. One thing about it, I was never shy. Without hesitation I said Sir, I want to be a Bishop like you! He promptly began to take off his BIG Bishop's ring the one everyone kisses and gently placed it on my thumb. Dad I know you remember how I felt ten feet tall. 5 years old and wearing a Bishop's ring. Thank God nobody kissed the ring while I was wearing it.
After you were finished in the church with all the riga-ma-rol, I headed for the parish hall for snacks but when you came in dressed in all your Man of the Cloth wears, I was busting with pride. That's my Dad and I Love that you are a "Man of God." Oh, and my goodness could you sing and all those years that you performed in barbershop quartets, before I was born. Never saw it, heard about it but now I could hear you for myself. You gave me a love for music and especially singing that I will never, never, never forget. Thanks!
After I turned 5 years old, you sold the business and became ordained as a deacon and then a Priest. Boy, was I proud of you. I was beaming because I had a Priest for a Father. From that day that you were ordained I wanted to be a Priest like you. In so many ways I wanted to be like you... but later we clashed in life but that time was a very precious memory.
The day you were ordained I sat out on the front steps of the church waiting for the Bishop. When he came I stood up and greeted him I think, but he asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. One thing about it, I was never shy. Without hesitation I said Sir, I want to be a Bishop like you! He promptly began to take off his BIG Bishop's ring the one everyone kisses and gently placed it on my thumb. Dad I know you remember how I felt ten feet tall. 5 years old and wearing a Bishop's ring. Thank God nobody kissed the ring while I was wearing it.
After you were finished in the church with all the riga-ma-rol, I headed for the parish hall for snacks but when you came in dressed in all your Man of the Cloth wears, I was busting with pride. That's my Dad and I Love that you are a "Man of God." Oh, and my goodness could you sing and all those years that you performed in barbershop quartets, before I was born. Never saw it, heard about it but now I could hear you for myself. You gave me a love for music and especially singing that I will never, never, never forget. Thanks!
Welcome to Letters to My Beloved Father!
Please join me in Sharing your thoughts and memories! One thing I ask is please write to your Father in the first person.
Dear Father,
One of the things that I remember most is serving at the altar with you. Driving to some of the small towns in Nebraska and Kansas and just being comfortable to be quiet with each other in the car was comforting to me. Singing two part harmony during the liturgy had a huge influence in me becoming an Orthodox Christian. Thanks for all that you did in helping me to become a part of the one True Faith. You were right Dad. Liturgy is something I have enjoyed because of as you called it, "90% of it is, Praise & Worship!" Heh!
Love You & Miss You,
Talk to you later...
Terry Paul
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