On this Father’s Day week-end let us express gratitude for our fathers. For those who bless our lives with their presence and fathers who are no longer with us; we cherish your memory. For those who have shaped us, loved us, or have been as father to us. For our ancestors known and remembered and grandparents we love or who we may never have met. We thank them for the great sacrifices they made on behalf of their children and those yet to come so that we could have a better life.
I share this poem by Joy Harjo in honor of all fathers dedicated and those who have been as father for us. For our adult children who are loving fathers nurturing and loving their children. We give thanks!
Remember by Joy Harjo 1951 –
Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time. Remember sundown
and the giving away to night.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled
to give you form and breath. You are evidence of
her life, and her mother’s, and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life, also.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth, we are earth.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.
As you reflect on those who have loved you into being, we invite you to share a memory, a name, a blessing or a thought to honor those who have been as father to you.
Blessings to you on Father’s Day!
Shared by Liz Soresens Wessel
