Dad’s Mug

This small mug has been in the Coffman house for the last 30 years or so. It was a gift to my dad from the rest of us in the family. Being 35 now, and ministering to kids in an urban poor area of Indianapolis, many of whom do not live with or even know their dad, I realize how much of a blessing it is for me to be able to say that, in my life, the words on this mug have rang true. My dad has always been there for me, and has never failed to encourage me at my weakest points, and challenge me at my most stubborn. Of course as a kid I took him for granted, argued with him about almost everything, and probably gave him more than any man’s reasonable share of headaches, ulcers, and gray hairs. 

My dad and I did many things together as I grew up, and while I remember things like collecting basketball cards, taking trips to the comic book shop, him volunteering as a sponsor for some of my grade school class field trips, being a youth sponsor at our church, setting up our household aquariums, the fact that he let me watch and record The Simpsons on VHS tapes when they first came out (most of the other kids at church weren’t allowed to watch it) getting season tickets to the Pacers, and going fishing at the lake across the street… But what I remember most, is that my dad just spent time with me.

Now I’m not a dad myself, and I’m sure there are plenty of things I’m terribly clueless about, but I think my dad did it right, and I’m glad that he is, and always will be, my best friend.

I love you, pop!

Originally posted on Instagram @ajcoffman on April 22, 2014