Dadeee

I’m working away. In the background are sounds: “Dadeeee,” sirens, freeway flowing in the distance, train whistles, birds singing, even the buzz of a bee (or is it a mosquito?) on a spring day, or is it a summer evening.

I’m not even thinking about the sounds, but then I hear one again, “Dadeeeee” echoing down the ravine. I still don’t think about the sound, but I do think about another place and another time and another little voice calling “Dadeeeee.”

I’m not sure if it is a call that says, “Dadeeee, help!” or, “Dadeeee, wait up!” or “Dadeeee, I want you to come to me and look at this!” or “Dadeee, I want you here right now!” I just remember the little voice echoing through the trees that surrounded our house.

That “Dadeee” fills me with warm memories of a little girl who wanted her Dad for something, a little girl full of affection and life. That “Dadeeee” carried me back to a time I’ll never have again, a time when the children were dependent on me, needed me, and were close to me. Times have changed. Our children are no longer dependent on me. They are not as close geographically. And, they need me in a different way. And, they no longer call “Dadeeee”. Now it is Dad.

“Dadeee” music to some dad’s ear. “Dadeee” still music to my ears, if only in my memories.

How it must make God feel good for His children to call on Him from the midst of their lives…to help, to look at what they’ve done, to just be close.

12 Then you will call upon me…and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13-13)