When God Created Fathers
When the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame.
A female angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is
that? If you're going
to make children so close to the ground, why have
you put the Father up so
high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without
kneeling, tuck a child in
bed without bending, or even kiss a child without
stooping."
God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child
size, who would children
have to look up to?"
And when God made a Father's hands, they were large.
The angel shook her
head and said, "Large hands can't manage diaper pins,
small buttons, rubber
bands on pony tails, or even remove splinters caused
from baseball bats."
Again, God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large
enough to hold
everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet
small enough to cup a
childs face in them."
Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
"Do you realize you
just made a Father without a lap?" The angel chuckled.
God said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs
strong shoulders to pull
a sled, to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold
a sleepy head on the way
home from the circus."
When God was in the middle of creating the biggest
feet any one had ever
seen, the angel could contain herself no longer.
"That's not fair. Do
you honestly think those feet are going to get out
of bed early in the
morning when the baby cries, or walk through a birthday
party without
crushing one or two of the guests?"
God again smiled and said, "They'll work, you'll see.
They'll support a
small child who wants to ride to Branbury Cross or
scare mice away from
a summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge
to fill."
God worked throughout the night, giving the Father
few words, but a firm,
authoritative voice, eyes that see everything, but
remain calm and
tolerant.
Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears.
Then he turned to the
angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can
love as much as a
Mother can?"
And the angel said no more.