Week 122

Positive post Sunday, June 16, 2019- Week 122.  

Happy Father’s Day to my heavenly and earthly fathers.  

To my heavenly father, thank you for giving me the gift of life, a gift I will never take for granted.  I view life on earth as our opportunity for redemption and to earn a place in heaven.  I am grateful for your love and spiritual guidance, which you deliver through the many amazing people you have placed in my life.  With your divine shepherding and as your humble servant, I pray that when my work here on earth is done, I will someday return to you in eternal life.

To my earthly father Ken Rendler, Happy Father’s Day.  Or should I say Happy Dad’s Day.  It’s been said that any man can be a father (or any man that has a child is called a father), but it takes someone very special to be a dad!  You have been both to me.  I love you very much and I am so blessed to still have you in my life, something I also don’t take for granted.  You have taught me so much, including the importance and value of supporting your kids in their activities, working hard, being ethical and responsible, giving back to the community and most importantly living a life of faith.  

You have not only taught me but shown me how to be a faithful husband and put family first, which you and mom have done your entire lives.  I think Theodore Hesburgh, Catholic Priest and President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame said it best, “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother”, and you have done so for 64 years this August.  I am proud to follow in your footsteps.  Michele Lomen Rendler, my Endless Love (our wedding song), and I will be celebrating our 36th Anniversary in 2 days.  I thank the good Lord, and Michele’s mom and dad (may they be resting in peace) for one of the best gifts a man can ever receive, a faithful and loving wife. 

Let me end by sharing 3 of my most cherished family photos.  These are photos of 4 generations of Rendlers (I’m the child in the oldest photo with my father, grandfather and great grandfather).  Considering some children never meet their fathers and others lose their fathers early in their lives, my family is truly blessed to have this remarkable family history.  God willing, I will complete the cycle and take the fourth photo as the great grandfather when my grandson Andrew is married and has a son (no pressure Andrew-Austin’s Page).  This is high on my bucket list and it would be great if it was a 5-generation photo!

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers in my life, past and present.  May you be resting in peace with our heavenly father or enjoying your special day with family.