The church service on Sunday was a blessing. There were families who had made the effort to be there together, some having traveled a fair distance. The music team was energetic, plus they included a song John wrote called I Am With You. When the time came for people to describe things they appreciate about their dads the comments went on and on. The stories were simple, yet poignant.

"He reads to me every night."

"He shows me what it means to work hard."

The minister referred to  a video in which a little ballerina fell apart on stage, and could not stop crying. Then her daddy appeared, with red shoes and a baby under his arm, and held her hand. With him dancing beside her she could be brave. Another person spoke about a video collection of dad saves, where they swooped in at the last second before a catastrophe. 

The service included fatherlike figures as well, those living examples of strength and conviction, who give both protection and guidance. This widened the circle of respect to encompass teachers, neighbors, and uncles. They help fill the gaps for those whose earthly dads are gone or could not be as present as they wish they could. 

I wept for the fathers who tried to bring their children to a safe land, crossing the border, and have had the unthinkable happen. Their children have been taken away. Today I sang a prayer for them, trying to believe that somehow in this devastation, God is with them. And that one day they will dance again, with their children's hands firmly in their own.