I know this Sunday will be a tough one when Father’s Day comes and Taylor won’t be there. Still, the girls and I have a lot to celebrate because our family has been blessed with an amazing father. A father who was a good, faithful and hardworking man, and even in his death continues to be the spiritual leader of our family.
When I went to a dentist appointment earlier this month I was reminded of Taylor’s wonderful sense of humor. In the summer of 2015 we had just found out we were expecting our first child. I was only a few weeks along when I had scheduled dental cleanings for both of us. I went earlier in the day than Taylor and filled out all the paperwork while I waited for my appointment. The top page on the clipboard asked if the patient is pregnant so I checked “yes.” I told the receptionist that my husband would be in later that day and asked if she could give him my paperwork to copy, knowing that he did not have his insurance card on him.
When Taylor came in later for his cleaning, he checked in and was handed his own clipboard of paperwork. The receptionist then gave him mine, telling Taylor that his wife had asked her to “in case there was any information on there that he didn’t know.” Taylor scanned my clipboard of paperwork and saw the question I had checked “yes” to. He acted surprised and loudly exclaimed to the receptionist, “My wife is pregnant?!?!” He was met with a shocked and guilty look before finally letting the woman off the hook and telling her that he was just kidding and already knew he was going to be a father.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
Psalm 68:5
There are so many things I miss about Taylor every day and the genuine laughter is near the top of that list. While my girls will never be able to give Taylor a Father’s Day card or pick out a tie that he would never wear, we still have a lot to celebrate on this day. God promises to be a father to the fatherless. He blessed us with the greatest man three girls could ask for and has put so many other wonderful fathers in our life to support us until we see Taylor again.
I hit the lottery with my own dad, Paul McKinney/Captain. He raised my siblings and myself with so much love, always guiding us to know the Lord and be kind to others. He set a wonderful example of qualities to value when choosing a spouse. Taylor’s dad, Mark Marley/Pow Pow, has been our source of strength. While working through his own grief and keeping the ranch running, Mark has continued to welcome the girls and me following him around everywhere like a litter of lost and traumatized puppies. I have never known anyone that was closer to a parent than Taylor was to Mark and I am so thankful Margot and Charlotte get to have that paternal relationship. We have also been blessed with the wonderful husbands of my dear friends. Men that have dropped everything without question to take care of their children and responsibilities at home so their wives could attend to my family when I needed my girlfriends the most. If this day is a hard one for you too, remember that God promised to be a father to the fatherless and you are not alone. Welcome His son, Jesus Christ, into your heart and know that you are loved by God, the father of all creation.
Love, Molly
Copyright © 2021 M. Marley, LLC
Molly, you are an inspiration to many….mostly…me. I love hearing your words of such a sweet relationship you had and have with Taylor and his family. Yes Father’s Day is tough for you and I…I so appreciate you reminding me that we have the ultimate Father loving us when our earthly daddy’s are not physically with us. Please hug those girls for me! ❤️ Keep on keepin on! You are amazing!
Thank you, Camaryn. I have to keep my focus on the unseen and because of our Heavenly Father, get to continue loving Taylor and our girls.
I can hear his laugh while reading this post! He truly had the most genuine laugh of anyone I know!
You are such a fine work of God. He speaks through you. I LOVE YOU BIG ❤️
Love you! And yes, all God’s words.
Yes! I love when I can hear Taylor’s voice or know what he would say in a situation.
You brought me to tears Molly, but it is so beautiful. Thank you. I am so glad you have Mark and Kathryn there to help you.
Thank you Molly for sharing such precious and transparent thoughts with us. My eyes are filled with tears as your heart spoke. Thank you for reminding all of us of our Eternal Hope and that our present day sufferings will not compare with the Eternal Glory we will experience one day, United with The Lord and our loved ones. One day God will say to you Molly, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” It’s a privilege to hold you and your family up in prayer. Love, Susan Tevis Lancaster
You are an Amazing Lady, first of all & and a wonderful , God Loving woman. I know that he Loves You & Your Girls and all of us. But you are special to those who know you❣️ And your words are so comforting! I don’t know you very well but I 💕 what your words say!! I get some comfort from them.
God spread his Blessings upon Molly & her Daughters. Comfort her and be with her and the Family this Fathers Day ! Amen
Thank you, Ina.
Beautifully written, Molly. I’m so glad you are able to find, and hold onto, moments of peace and laughter and see the true Good. What a blessing that is.
Love your heartfelt and insightful sharing, Molly. And love that you feel and are fathered. And love your vibrant memories of the fun Taylor generated. Much love to you three!