This letter is for my Dad, who is in Sydney, Australia, and today is his birthday but he is presently very ill and in the ICU.

Update: My Dad passed away last May 5, 2009.





Dearest Dad,

Happy Birthday. Today you are eighty-eight and we are so far apart I cannot even hug you and wish you "Happy Birthday!". The home called up to say you are in intensive care, not conscious of what date it is, the cancer has spread and it has claimed your awareness so that even a phone call is prohibitive.

You may say this birthday is not "happy" after all. I know your words so well. But we had years together when you had happy ones, rest in the memories of those precious moments, and look forward to when we will all be in our Father's house - when time is not- and eternity is always a day of birth.

I thank the Lord you are my Daddy, and you know I meant each word I said when we were together briefly in Sydney.
If things were different, you know I would have stayed with you, but life has holds on us that makes distance the fence but not the hindrance. You are always in my prayers and in my thoughts
and I know in my heart God holds you safe in the palm of His hands, today, tomorrow and always.

Today more than ever, I pray for your salvation. In your sleep I know you hear the voice of God for He has answered my prayers, and His mercy on
you has been released. I have told you then, we have forgiven you... and asked for your forgiveness. The chain's been broken and we are free. For all the past hurts pale in comparison to that moment's victory when you heard me say "It's ok,
Dad!"

Even at this moment you feel this letter, I know. The cataracts will blur these words but your father's heart can still read it. We love you and we pray for you, the scales of unbelief will fall, for this is the promise we hold on to, the hope
that in the end God triumphs. I asked your birthday gift be Jesus - and He will come in time to greet you:
"Happy Birthday, Vic!"


Love from your daughter,

CYNTHIA