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him even less.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months and years, and up until a few days ago, I hadn't seen my Dad in two years.

Two days ago, my sister called to tell me that Dad had been moved to a nursing home, and that his kidney's were failing. He is diabetic, and has gout in his legs and feet.

I loaded the kids and my wife Julie into the van, and headed down the highway to the nursing home. As I rode along, I kept thinking of what I might say, and how he would react.

As we pulled into the nursing home, I readied myself for the discomfort I had always felt in the past, and headed inside.

Walking down the hallway to his room, it seemed like he was way to young to ever be in there, but as I entered his room, that feeling changed. He was so skinny that I almost didn't recognize him. He was on his side and trying to go to the bathroom in his hand held bottle. He looked up at me and I knew he wanted the girls and Julie to wait outside. I helped him relieve himself, and sat down beside him.

"Dad, I missed you so much. Are you in pain? Can I get you anything? I'm so sorry that I haven't been to see you. I am trying to be a good Dad, and make you proud. Dad, I just didn't feel comfortable coming there. Not because of you, but everyone else. I love you. You do know that don't you... I would have been to see-"his feeble hand reached up and hushed me. Calmly, and with a gentleness I had never seen before from him, he gently shook his head that he understood. And we cried....

The girls came in and Grandpa kissed them on the hands, and looked at them with a love that I didn't know he had in him. I could see the pride in his eyes for the first time, proud of his son and the job I was doing with those two little girls.

Strangely, all the hurts of the past meant nothing, and all I could see in my memories eyes were some good memories I had long forgotten: Him taking me to the wrestling matches live and in person; him buying me that red rider b.b. gun that my mother swore she would never let me have; him taking me up to Leon's gas station and bragging about how smart I was to guys that really didn't care; him crying the day he left our house for the last time, and telling me he loved me......

As I was leaving, I asked him if he was okay with the Lord, and he nodded yes. I looked deep into his eyes, and realized for the first time, that they were the most gorgeous green I had ever seen. More importantly, I saw God in his eyes......

As we rode home, it hit me like a bullet.......I had just proved God's existence-who else could heal a lifetime of hurt in a single visit to a nursing home? As long as I live, I will never forget the miracle that happened that day. I'll never let go of my family. I'll never let go of my faith............Bless you Jesus Christ........for appearing in my father's soul.

Learn more about this author, Rodney Southern.
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