Randy walks along the shore of Lake Erie on a recent road trip to the East Coast for his son’s graduation from Tufts University.
MY HUSBAND ISN’T ONE to get all gushy, to be right out there with his emotions. He’ll choose the humorous greeting card over the flowery one any day. A bit stoic even at times, not much rattles him.
He’s a great dad and grandpa, in his own reserved way. He’s the calm to a storm, the quiet in the noise, the light in the darkness.
Randy is a gentle spirit, steady and strong. I can count on him. So can his three “kids,” now grown. He’s always been there for all of us, as trite as that may sound. But it’s true.
He’s guided wobbling bikes down sidewalks, waited in hospital emergency rooms, played Monopoly way too often, read Sunday comics with kids sprawled on the living room floor, painted his young daughters’ toenails, repaired kids’ cars, toured college campuses, ironed his son’s college graduation gown…
For 30 years now, Randy has been a dad. A strong, steady and loving one. I am so appreciative of my husband as a father.
Today, when I watch Randy with his first grandchild, I see that same fatherly love extending to the next generation. He cradles baby Isabelle with such tenderness that my heart aches. She is deeply loved, just like her mama before her.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
There is strength in the gentle soul, for he can calm the tempest, carry a burden in his heart and lift the weight of sorrow from the grief stricken. Happy Father’s Day to him.
So beautiful and poetic your words, Jake.
Happy Father’s Day to you also!
Sweet tribute.
It’s deserved.
A great post for Father’s Day — thank you! Being “father” and being “dad” are two different roles. Your family is blessed (and you obviously appreciate that!).
Thank you. I very much appreciate Randy, as husband and father/dad.
You could be in the greeting card business. Your Randy is such a keeper and much like my husband. What a special tribute.
Then you are blessed, too.
I do write greeting card verses– for Warner Press, a Christian-based publishing company.
Lovely tribute to a wonderful man.
Thank you. And an affirmative on that.
You are blessed, such a great guy that Randy is….your tribute was lovely!
I am blessed. And so are you with your dear Rick.
Sounds like you’ve got a keeper. Hope you and your family had a great day
I do. Randy and I celebrated with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter the day before Father’s Day. The other two, in northeastern Wisconsin and in Boston, called him on Father’s Day.