It’s been an interesting two weeks. I’ve not posted anything and was taking a bit of a break but I’m back. I want to congratulate my daughter Candace, and her new husband Devin Pankey on their beautiful wedding over the labor day weekend.
To say that it was not an affair that brought tears to my eyes would be a wrong. I think it’s something when you give your daughter away to another man. You realize that a new stage of life is beginning, that although your little girl is not a little girl anymore, there is a part of you that is happy but also sad at the grown woman who stands before you as you reflect on the moments when you took her to daddy daughter dances as a kid.
You think about when you taught her how to ride her bike, or tie her shoes. When you sung to her at night when she cried as a baby. It chokes you up to see the wonderful little hellion that you raised in a beautiful wedding dress, as you take the first steps to walk her down the aisle.
When she cries as she sees everyone in the sanctuary you do only what a father does; place your hand on hers, tell her to breath, and you gently take the steps toward the risen congregation. And if you’re me you reflect on the fact that you love this lil girl.
You see all the smiling faces, and you remember the times that before there was a Beyoncé there was this 4 year old, singing her heart out, who when she was done after four songs asked if you wanted her to sing another song. Which of course you replied with an enthusiastic “Yes!”
You can’t help but smile when you she used to go in the fridge and drink your soda pop, when you taught her how to drive. It all comes flooding back to you. Like waves. The arguments, the days of getting her to clean up her sloppy room, watching movies together, sucking of thumbs, dental appointments, broken arms, high school drama. When you reach the end of the aisle and you are asked about “who gives this woman away to be married,” you smile realizing the human being that God let your borrow to help raise: is a good woman in the hands of a good man, and you smile and say, “I do.”
Yep it was a good weekend. Daddy loves you baby.
DonovanDonovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.
