Dad

PHOTO: Mary van Balen Almost two months have passed since my last blog. The reasons are many. The most important is the passing of my father, Joseph Van Balen. My siblings and I have shared Dad’s care for about two years. Despite evenings when I wanted to drive home after a long day at work rather than drive to have dinner and a walk with Dad, I was always richer for having spent time with him. I hope the hours we spent together were as much a blessing for him as they were for me.

He was a gentle man who touched the lives not only of his family, but of everyone who walked through his door. Along with Mom, he had an easy way of making visitors feel special, giving them undivided attention and, of course, food and drink.

He was a wonderful father providing unconditional love to each of us. Once, a friend who was a priest told me he wanted to meet my father. He gave Dad much credit for my knowing of God as loving Presence in my life. How true that parents are a child’s first glimpse of God, the one they trust, the one they depend on. Mom and Dad gave us experience of unlimited love that could be counted on, no matter what.

As a teenager, I remember a conversation Dad and I had in his workshop. He was covering a board with fabric for one of my projects: I had decided to participate in an art contest through my high school. Even though I had not taken an art class, the instructor agreed to sponsor my entry. My plan was to paint a pregnant Mary standing in front of her young husband.

I held the board while Dad stretched the fabric. After we talked about the contest and my idea, conversation turned to another dream: Writing a book.

“You know, honey, if anyone can do it, you can. If you want to write a book, you will!”

He said it with a smile and a confidence that left no doubt in my mind that eventually, I would do just that. And I knew when I did, that he and Mom would be the proudest ones around when it happened. They were.

As my life settles back into some sort of routine, I will continue with this blog.

Dad would approve with a smile and hug.