Strength of a Father

When speaking about fathers, American author Clarence Budington Kelland said “He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” While in Germany we met two fathers who lived this way!

Each new country brings new families, new children and new mothers and fathers. I was especially touched by this family and I loved the fathers here. They lived on a small farm in a little town. The farm was built in 1856 and had been in their family for three generations. The Father’s name is Danny. His adorable farmer father, who the boys affectionately call Opa, was there with us as well. Danny had learned to be a farmer from his father. And he had learned from his father before. Strong father’s teaching their sons how to work and love was passed from one generation to another in this family. And now Danny was a father of two sons.

We had to hurry to keep up with these two darling young boys. We watched as they climbed up on their big red tractor. We raced to follow them into the pig pen, and then rushed to keep up as they ran out to the garden. We photographed them as they played among pumpkins, zucchini and squash. 

Then we hurried to keep up as they ran off to pick apples from their tree. Danny lifted his youngest son so he could reach the apples. Felix picked an apple for each of us. It was a delightful experience to eat apples with them on their beautiful farm. The apples were crisp, sweet and juicy!

I could tell Danny was a great father. He thoughtfully plowed the rich, dark soil with his son Max. He carefully lifted Felix onto the tractor. He gently helped Max collect eggs from the chicken coop. When I met Danny and shook his hands they were large and strong and I noticed his firm grip. These father’s hands work hard every day. But they are also caring and gentle as he teaches and loves his sons on their beautiful farm in Germany. Just like his father had taught him.

What a blessing and privilege to meet these wonderful fathers and these darling boys. They live in such a way that their sons watch and learn. They were a great example to me of the kind of wonderful, loving  families one kind find all around the world. 

This is me with Felix and Opa! So fun!!