When The LORD Created
Fathers
When the Good LORD was creating
Fathers, he started with a tall frame.
A female angel nearby said, "What kind of
Father is that? If you're going to make
children so close to the ground, why have you
put the Father up so high? He won't be able
to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck
a child in bed without bending, or even kiss
a child without stooping?" GOD smiled and
said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who
would children have to look up to?"
When GOD made the Father's
hands, they were large. The angel shook her
head and said, "Large hands can't manage
diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on
pony tails, or even remove splinters caused
from baseball bats." Again GOD smiled
and said, "I know, but they're large enough
to hold everything a small boy empties from
his pockets, yet small enough to cup a child's
face in them." Then GOD molded long slim legs
and broad shoulders, "Do you realize you just
made a Father without a lap?" The angel
chuckled. GOD said, "A Mother needs a lap. A
Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled,
to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a
sleepy head on the way home from the
circus."
When GOD was in the middle
of creating the biggest feet anyone had ever
seen, the angel could not contain herself any
longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly
think those feet are going to get out of
bed early in the morning when the baby cries,
or walk through a birthday party without
crushing one or two of the guest?" GOD again
smiled and said, "They will work. You will
see. They will support a small child who
wants to ride to Branbury Cross or scare mice
away from a summer cabin, or display shoes
that will be a challenge to fill." GOD worked
throughout the night, giving the Father few
words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes
that see everything, but remain calm and
tolerant. Finally, almost as an after
thought, He added tears. The he turned to
the angel and said, "Now are you
satisfied he can love as much as a Mother
can?" The angel said nothing more.
©Erma Bombeck
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