Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A Father/Son Thing

diligent - hard working - selfless - a servant - loyal - faithful - steady - Godly - strong - under control - humble - organized - early to bed and early to rise
those are some things this son sees in his Dad
i wonder what my son would have seen in me


batting practice in the back yard - playing toss - pitching and catching - shooting baskets - playing H-O-R-S-E - playing one-on-one - playing Uno, cribbage, Yahtzee, checkers and more - snowmobiling - fishing on the banks of the Aroostook River - hunting one Thanksgiving morning - cheering for the Yankees - cheering harder against the Red Sox - taking karate lessons - playing pranks - spending the day at his job - coffee breaks - eating at diners - eating hot dogs at Rock's - watching the World Series, Final Four, and NBA Finals - going to the high school basketball tournaments
those are some things this son did with his Dad
i wonder what my son would have done with me

debating with childhood friends on the playground over whose Dad was stronger, faster, and smarter - betting that my dad was the best athlete
those are some things this son talked about at school
i wonder what my son would have talked about

he built our houses - he cut the grass - he trimmed the trees - he shoveled the snow - he trained our dog - he kept things together - he washed and serviced our cars - he worked hard every day - he came to my games and sometimes nervously paced the sidelines - he took on me and several friends at a time in wrestling matches and whipped us all - he fell while building our second house and injured himself badly - he cried the night his father died - he took us to church - he led us in family devotions - he taught Sunday School - he was the Awana commander - he taught Boys Brigade - he watched me coach - he did dishes and helped around the house - he loved and honored his parents and mom's parents - he has loved, honored, and respected mom - he sometimes suffered with migraines - he recovered from neck surgery
those are some things this son saw his Dad do
i wonder what my son would have seen me do


a slingshot - a bow and arrow set - slick new Nikes - a ball glove - a Louisville Slugger - a bat weight - a Daisy bb gun - an air rifle - a shot gun - a pellet/dart gun - a bunch of mini-bikes that wouldn't run (but he got a great deal on them!) - a Harley Davidson - a puppy
those are some things this son got from his Dad
i wonder what my son would have got from me


mow the lawn - drive a car - build a fire - change the oil in the car - wash the car - work hard - remember the things that really matter in life, namely my relationship with Jesus and treating others well
those are some things this son learned from his Dad
i wonder what my son would have learned from me


PATIENT - FORGIVING - FAITHFUL - LOVING - KIND - GENEROUS - COMPASSIONATE - STRONG - ABLE - MIGHTY - GENTLE - ALWAYS NEAR, EVEN IF I'M NOT
THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THIS SON SEES IN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER
I WONDER IF MY SON WOULD HAVE SEEN HIM IN ME

17 comments:

Jennifer said...

Wow! This is a very powerful post. I have spent a lot of time reading your blog and I am thankful that you are willing to share your emotions and thoughts. It allows me to understand my own husband's grief a little more. Thank you. Jennifer

Paige said...

Your son would have seen the Godly man that is his father; he would have seen a loving and caring husband to his mom; he would have seen a wise, compassionate, faithful man; he would have seen a man striving to follow His heavenly Father's path, even in the darkest of times. He would have seen, learned and probably followed His dad in the same direction.

He would have seen His heavenly father in the lives of his mom, dad, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He would have carried on that legacy. And I am so sorry that you don't have the opportunity to see that happen.

Praying for you today and in the days to come.

Candie said...

Wow, what a beautiful way to talk about the father/son relationship. Even though you won't get to know what Luke thought about you, the one thing that he learned from you in his short life was love. You are still in our prayers.

The Rhoderick Family said...

I love this! I know what it feels to miss out on those special memories. I lost my daughter at birth and have 3 sons. I always wonder the same thing. The things that we would have done just the 2 of us!

Stacy D said...

Praying for you guys as you're back in Georgia... I am sure being back in your home stirs up all sorts of memories and emotions.

Although our stories are different, and Isaac is still alive and well in the womb (and hopefully will be until he's scheduled to be born on October 7), I know that I will wonder many of the same things you do about what Isaac would have learned from me, seen in me. I am not even at that place yet, and what you have written rings so true in my heart.

I continue to lift you, Nicole, and little Summer up in prayer.

Kelli said...

There is no doubt that your son had a fantastic father. You are a godly man who is grieving the loss of his child, his son. But you are grieving with grace. You are teaching others through your grief. Your son's life, though much too short, had meaning. Luke was real, mostly to you and Nicol, but now to all of us who faithfully read your posts. And there is no doubt he would have seen a man of God as his father. And that means something. That is as real as Luke's life here on earth.

Anonymous said...

I know what you have taught me and all the people who have read your blog and all the people that know you. What a wonderful teacher you are and what a wonderful man of God. I know we aren't the same in your heart as your son but thank you for all of the lessons. I believe you reap what you sow (I'm pretty sure that is Biblical)....I can only imagine your harvest!!!! Praying for the sale of your home!!!
Becky

EllaBella Photo Card Designs said...

Greg,
Not a day has gone by without our family praying for you and yours. You, Nicol, and sweet Summer came to Johnson Ferry last Christmas to sing at our Women's Christmas Celebration...and what a blessing it was!
Thank you for sharing your heart through your blog! May you find comfort in our heavenly Father...
Blessings,
Megan

Anonymous said...

A beautiful and accurate tribute to your dad. Little Luke would have seen and experienced all those things in you as well. He did for a very brief time. Your gift to him has only just begun.

Holding you, Nicol and Summer very close to my heart and always in my prayers.

Much love,
Jill

Kristy said...

He would see your heart. Your love. All the things you saw in your Dad. Wow, what an amazing father you have. He would have seen your great love for our God. I am so sorry that here on earth, you will miss out of those things with Luke. I truly am so sorry for that.

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. And yes, it seems to me from reading your blog, that Luke would have seen all of those last things you mentioned in you.

Shawn said...

Wow, Greg! You have a way of just grabbing the heart. This is absolutely beautiful. Lukey would have had all that to say about you and more. I see your heavenly Father so clearly in you. He has given you a voice you never wanted to use in this way, but He is well pleased with you as you speak hope to others about His ability to minister to you in the grief. Lukey and his daddy will have all of eternity together, worshiping their heavenly Father. I can't wait to see what that will be like. I love you, Nicol, and Summer so much and can't wait until you're here in Nashville. Praying earnestly about Friday's showing on the house. Shawn

sheila said...

What an awesome post. You have a very Godly father, you are a very blessed man. Luke can see what type of Daddy you are to Summer and I would bet he's having some of those very conversations and he is so very proud to be the son of Mr. Greg Sponberg and Nicol Sponberg. My heart hurts for your family. My dh just came home from the hospital, we met him at the airport after 4 long weeks; I had to wait my turn to hug him, our four children almost knocked him down. The love between a son and father is very powerful, even at 10 weeks. May God bless you and Nicol and Summer and give you more son-filled days than dark. In God's Love, sheila

Anonymous said...

Hi Greg! I have been away from your blog for a few days and it was nice to "catch up". This Father/Son post is truly beautiful and very touching!!! Having the priviledge of knowing both you and your father, I can say, you hit the nail on the head. And all of those things that you learned or did with your dad are some of the same things that Luke would have done and learned from you. You are a great man of God, a truly wonderful husband and father! This post will bring tears to your fathers eyes. He is so proud of you and all you have accomplished.

Your writings continue to amaze and bless me. I woke up in the middle of the night a couple nights ago and found myself praying for you and Nicole. I will be praying tomorrow as your house is being shown.

Good luck with all the "stuff" that needs to get done. It may seem overwhelming, I'm sure, but it will all get done.

I take it your trip to Aroostook County has been put off for now. I hope I see you when you finally do come home!

Take care! Love in Christ, Julie :-)

219helena said...

challenging, endearing thoughts. thx, gail sappington

Tabatha said...

In your very last paragraph...always remember that your son does and always will see those things in you even from heaven. He will tell you that one day while he is doing all those other things with you! My heart goes out to you and I think of your story often.
www.minishfamily.blogspot.com

Rissa said...

Love it Greg!!.. You certinly have a talent for writing.. Thanks for the updates & know that we are keeping you, nicol & Summer in our prayers!!
GOD BLESS!!