The Loss of a Father

"You are not alone.  God has placed people in your life to walk this out with you."  These are the words Phil told one of the Casa G boys on Tuesday.  The boy had been told that his father (also dad to another boy at Casa G) may have killed himself the day before in prison. Phil was able to reach the grandfather who talked to his sixteen year old grandson, "You need to get over to that prison and find out what is going on!" 

Phil and the two brothers went to the prison.  It was true.  Their father who had recently been transferred to a different prison due to safety reasons was dead, found hung.

Tonight Phil is driving with Juan Miguel, the two brothers and a younger brother to the coast where the extended family lives for the viewing.  At 9:00 AM their father will be buried.  When given the option of accompanying the boys, they said to Phil, "We would really like to have you with us." 

This evening my heart squeezed with a mixture of emotions as Danelle, her fiance, Nate, Tully and I placed our hands on Phil to pray for him and his trip with the boys.  I felt the grief of these boys who lost their father to prison ten years ago and now have lost him a second time, maybe even for eternity.

I felt sad that Phil would miss the second day of the Hands that Heal conference.  I was more sad that he would miss a good portion of the last two days with his son, Tully, who flies back to the U.S. tomorrow night. 

My heart squeezed with sweet gratefulness for the gift of an unselfish son who without hesitation gave up precious time with his father so his dad could be the father to those who have none, something Tully has done countless times in the past. 

And my heart squeezed with thanks for the man who is Tully's father, a man who would drive six hours through the dark and fog and treacherous mountain roads when he is exhausted and not feeling well because tonight, he alone has been appointed to be the tangible expression of the Father's love.