Happy Father's Day

Okay, I've just had the best beginning to a Father's Day in all my 43 years. Hector and I are in Dallas and we just had dinner with the whole family (Mom, Dad, all the kids, Carolyn, Johnny, Steve and Sandy) at Tommy's house. What a feast Tommy and Sam prepared! Mom and Dad went home early and we got home about midnight. I was staying up for a bit to prepare this "Ode to My Father" blog, and went in the kitchen for a little sustenance to stir up the creative juices. Dad comes out of the darkened den. He was restless and couldn't sleep. I went and grabbed the anointing oil, Hector and Caleb. Together, we started Father's Day by anointing Dad and praying over him. What a privelege! (A true miracle that Dad was awake past Leno's monologue.) On this day to honor fathers, I had the chance to honor my most honor-able father by lifting him before his Father. When God created dads, they were designed to be a window to our relationship with Himself. (Theology 101, a la Cari.) They are supposed to reveal to their children the love, wisdom, judgement, justice, compassion and patience of our heavenly Father in a way that enables their children to accurately view God in all his complex awesomeness. And they say a mother's job is a tough one!!! Needless to say, my view of God is one of an accepting, patient, funny, joy-filled, scary, big, protective, forgiving, compassionate, generous, really generous, bigger-than-life King of the universe. As a child this was my perspective of my dad. Adulthood has only served to confirm these perceptions (well, maybe not king of the universe, but certainly of his world). Daddy has a way of doing everything with his unreservedly. He taught us to work first, play after, and do both with without holding back. He gave up his outside interests when UPS began to consume a lot of his time. If he wasn't working, he was doing something with us. He didn't sit in front of the TV, he bought a boat and we spent evenings and weekends skiing and eating Grandy's fried chicken while we watched the sunset from the boat. It never dawned on me that he might want to go hibernate in his room or watch the news. He actually took his vacations and we would drive all over the country to see Cape Cod, New York, family in different parts of the world (Hawaii came later). Or we went camping in the motor home with our 150 lb. german shephard sitting in the front dash. We got more than a few double takes. For those of us with children, how many would voluntarily spend two weeks in a car with three kids driving and seeing historic sites? Greater love ... We played Nertz and Killer on New Years Eve the first year we lived too far away to go to California for the holidays. Jenny and Tracy came to visit and Mom and Dad planned a huge party for us. We wore striped one piece long john pajamas and drank non-alcoholic champagne. We laughed until we cried that night. Excuse my reminiscing, but I've said all this to make a point. I don't know anyone, including my own children, whose childhood experiences rival that of DeeDee, Tommy and me. God told us to be salt and light in the world. Daddy is definitely a very bright light, and Mom is the salt that adds the savor. Two halves that make a spectacular whole. I know of no words spoken by mouth that can express my gratitude and love for you. They can only be known by heart. I pray you speak "heart" so you can understand the impact you have had on the ones who have seen you every day and say from experience and intimate knowledge, "Well Done".
Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love you. Cari

Tom, I just want to take a little time today to Honor a Great Father!!!! There have been only two great Christian men who have served as roles models in my life and you are one of them. Thank you for your faithfulness to GOD. I am glad that you and your family have welcomed me into and have allowed me to be part of a family with such a great Christian heritage and legacy. For the last twelve years It has been a true blessing to be part of such a wonderful family and be a recipient of many of GODS blessings that I know have come my way because of me being grafted into a family with such a great Christian heritage. - I want to thank you for ALL that you have done and will do for me and my family. I have never know people as generous as you and Eileen. I know that the LORD has blessed and will continued to bless you because of your faithfulness and good stewardship. I pray that someday, I may be more like you in this area of my life. - I want to thank you for all your advise you have and will give me during my marriage regarding ALL areas of my life. I pray that someday, I may be as wise and available and more like you are in this area of my life. - I see and admire how your children and grandchildren admire, respect and love you. I pray that someday my relationship with my children ad grandchildren will be as rewarding as yours. - I see how you use your life and life's situations to share GOD's good news with others, I pray that someday I will be as effective with sharing and witnessing to others as you are. I see that you live your life to honor GOD, again I pray that one day, I will do half as good as job as you have done. May the LORD Bless and keep you, may the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May the lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Happy Fathers Day. Hector


I don’t think you can ever really say there is an upside to cancer. It just sucks, every way you look at it. However, the last couple of months have been an amazing journey as we as a family have faced a really dire diagnosis. The great part is that nothing’s really changed other than the fact that we’re more intentional about making sure we express our love on a regular basis. The reason nothing’s really changed is because Mom and Dad taught us from our earliest years that we trust God, no matter what. We haven’t had to learn that lesson in the middle of the crisis, we just practice what’s been modeled for us every day of our lives.

When I was twelve or thirteen, we would go camping in our motor home. Yes, it’s true. We camped. In a motor home. We weren’t very good at camping – after we’d finish water skiing, we’d go inside the motor home and bake brownies and play Nertz (Tracy and I will still kick all your butts). No hanging around a campfire for us. Sometimes we’d drive really far to find a good water skiing lake (remember Wind Creek?), and we’d drive into the night. Everyone else would crash out in the back, and I would sit up with Dad and we’d talk while he drove. He talked to me about the things of the Spirit, and the thing is, I can’t really remember what he told me. His words of wisdom just went deep down into my soul and became a part of me. That’s a big piece of who I am today.

All of you who know my Dad know this: if you hang around him, he rubs off on you, and you’re a better person for it. That’s because he’s loving, kind, generous, godly, funny, interested in others, wise, courageous, smart, creative and good. He loves his wife, loves his kids, and loves his puppy (probably, but not necessarily, in that order). And, he’s always up for a party. There is no better model on earth for how to be a good Dad. Watch him, and you’ll see.

It’s Father’s Day, Dad, and you know words always fail me when it’s crunch time. I’m at peace, though, because I know you know I love you. Hurry back to my house and we’ll go get clam chowder at Sea Hag and let our puppies run on the beach. I’ll be waiting. And by the way…thank you. DeeDee


Happy Fathers Day Dad!What do you say to your Dad when all the world is reading the card? Everyone who knows you knows you've been the best Father anyone could ever ask for. What an honor to call you Dad, I've always felt it to be a great privilege and responsiblity to bear the name Tom Hardeman. Of course in the last few day's we've been struggling with our usual problem of "what to get Dad" for Fathers Day, because what do you get the man that has everything? But I've come to realize that it's us that's had everything, at least everything of importance. Dad, you and Mom have given us everything we need and more. Heritage, Legacy, Godly example, Honor, Integrity, Discipline, Joy, Fun, Material possessions...pick a word, your life has exemplified it.This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I am glad and rejoicing, to have the great blessing to spend it with you. Dad, be blessed today. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be healed! No man every deserved the honor and love of his children more than you, so receive it. We love you so very much. By the way, I'm not going to spend a long time in this Blog reminiscing, but I do want to correct DeeDee's comments by saying, her a Tracy are NOT the king's of Nertz...Dad and I will take you any day.Happy Fathers Day Dad, I love you.Tommy

Dearest Daddy Tom,I have been most priveleged to have you as my father from the heart. You loved me before I was even part of the family and as I have told you before, this has always meant the world to me. I couldn't have wished for a more loving, generous, accepting, caring, fun-loving father-in-law. I am truly blessed! Thank you for being such an awesome father to my husband! He definitely learned how to be a great father and husband from watching you. This has made me doubly blessed! May this day be a blessing unto you as you see with your own eyes the life-lessons you have lived out. God has surrounded you with many children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren as an inheritance in glory! Enjoy!With much love, Suzanne

This is our love letter to you, from all your loving family.