18 years
216 Months
6,574 days
157,754 Hours
9,467,039 Minutes
568,022,340 Seconds
If you know anything about me, you know August is one of those months that just hit extra hard for me.
Today, August 19, makes 18 years ago I lost the greatest hero of my life, my sweet Daddy.
James "Windell" Raper... aka Rawhide
Daddy was an over the road trucker for 38 years. Left on Sunday after lunch. Came home on Tuesdays. Left out either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Got back home on Fridays. This was our life growing up. On his way home, usually no matter the time, he would call to check in when he was in Eatonton or Milledgeville headed southbound on Hwy 441.
This is why I can get in my vehicle and drive to Homestead-Miami Speedway or Charlotte Motor Speedway with zero hesitation. Me, Mama's prayers, Jesus, and Daddy's 357 Magnum will road trip anywhere. I love a good road trip.
Daddy always loved the color blue.
* His 1970 Chevelle 396 SS... Metallic Blue
* Vinyl siding on the house remodel in 1995... Sky Blue
* Carpet inside the Master Bedroom... Dark Blue
* His favorite recliner... Blue
* His 1980 Chevrolet Truck... Baby Blue
* His 1997 Chevrolet Truck... Dark Blue
* Our stray black and tan hound name... Blue
You see the pattern?!
Maybe it was the color of his blue eyes that made him love blue so much. The one trait I inherited his that is the most dominant, my blue eyes. Clay's eyes were the same.
Daddy also loved anything outside in nature. Hunting. Fishing. Farming. Horses. Cows. Hogs. Watching sunrises. Watching sunsets. Watching a good lightning storm roll in (cough, cough). Watching butterflies and the hundreds of dragonflies that would swarm the yard at night. Then watching for lightning bugs from the pond dam.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to travel up to Athens, Georgia, to install some balloon decor for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce at their Annual Congressional Luncheon. This year it was held at the Classic Center. Set up was on Tuesday, August 4th. Event was Wednesday, August 5th. I parked on the backside of the venue on Foundry Street. There is a little pull off the road space in case of needing to answer a call or to unload/load your vehicle.
On the sidewalk, there was a little flower garden. There were dozens of the orange and black (Viceroys or Monarchs) flying around. One almost landed on my arm as I was walking by. I thought "God, I would love to see a blue butterfly just because of Daddy." I had been thinking of Daddy on the trip up as I do every time I pass through Eatonton. I never saw a blue butterfly on Tuesday though.
Wednesday was break down and pick up day after the event was over. I had to park in the employee parking garage. As I was going to get permission to park there, and I was going back to my van, I happened to look down and found my blue butterfly! I got my blue butterfly after all. A kids broken bracelet with a plastic blue butterfly. I picked it up, with tears in my eyes, I had to just chuckle. It is now in my collection of heart findings and my heart necklace.
I waited til today to share about this because of Daddy as I knew this day was coming up two weeks ago. It means even more to me today.
After 18 years, I still miss my Daddy each day.
Finding the butterfly after a half hearted prayer reminded me of a couple of Scriptures.
Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Luke 12:6-7
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
God is in the details. God cares about the big things you pray for. God cares about the smallest of details. God hears you when you say a 15 minute prayer when you are on your stomach crying and praying into your pillow. God hears you when you just simply say a "wish I would" prayer. He loves us that much.
Just like our earthly Daddy, our Father in heaven also wants the very best for His children ❤️
