Thumbprints on Our Hearts
Last February, my father passed away. I was unable to physically be with him when he passed and in the months before his death. One of the l biggest things I struggled with was not being able to hold his hand when he left this world.
In May, we celebrated what would have been his 75th birthday. That weekend I was also set to graduate from Vanderbilt Divinity School. My father was the one who helped pay for me to go back to school. Through his support, I was able to really focus on my time learning and not worry about the financial situation of school. What a gift! While I knew his time was limited, I had really hoped that he would be able to see me graduate. One of our last conversations that we had together was of me telling him that I would be graduating in May.
On his birthday and a few days before graduation, I had a few friends show up rather randomly outside the church office. They handed me a tiny box and told me to open it. Inside this box was a silver heart. I remember thinking, “Okay? What is this?”. Recognizing my confusion, they said, “Look at it closely. What do the designs look like?”.
As I looked, I saw a fingerprint. Then I began to realize what this gift might be. I said, “Fingerprints?” They all nodded and they looked and asked, “Whose?” It was my father’s thumbprint! As I was overcome with emotion, I was also pretty confused. How did they get this? Was there a database out there with fingerprints? Had my dad been convicted of some felony that we didn’t know about?! I had so many questions running through my mind.
My friends explained that they had called the funeral home in February to make this happen. They knew how hard it had been to not be able to be with my dad. Amazingly, they had waited until this day to give it to me. What a Gift!
You see, I was struggling that my dad was not going to physically see me graduate. Yet, this gift reminded me that my dad will always be with me. I wore this necklace to graduation and when I received my diploma you better believe I held his hand.
I suppose this is a reflection of three gifts; the gift of education, the gift of friendship, and the gift of presence. While this necklace is just an impression of my dad’s thumbprint, it is a reminder that my dad is with me. His fingerprint is on my heart. A love enough to last a lifetime and more…
This Christmas season, I pray you will recognize and celebrate all those who may have left fingerprints on your heart. I pray that you feel the love of the Creator who created you, right down to your own unique fingerprint. I pray that you will celebrate the gift of family, friendship and be surrounded by the presence of love and Jesus.
“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”
-Judy Blume