“I RECKON I’M TOUGHER THAN SHINGLES ...”
... said my hero.
This month marks 7 YEARS since shingles first appeared inside one eye. 7 YEARS of fiery, shooting pains that start inside Dad’s eye and radiate across the top of his head.

The first year was the worst. Amazing friends came day and night to do the ranch chores. Fed the horses and cows. Brought tender notes of love.

I called him Easter Sunday that first hard year. He was determined to read a verse or two of scripture to honor the Savior. We talked together about what Jesus suffered in the Garden. “Jesus felt shingles, Dad,” I said. Together we wept.

Dad tells me he used to pray for God to take it away. NOW he prays to BEAR THE BURDEN WITH GRACE. I listen and watch and learn like I did as a little girl.

Dad is both tough and soft. TOUGH enough to endure to the very end. SOFT enough to open his heart to God and partner with a Savior full of empathy.

LESSON LEARNED