gate

fritz walked up to the car as we were just about to leave on our date, when he lowered his head into the window, his fisherman's hat slapped on his silver gray hair. his eyes soft, he looked at me and reached for my arm. "i love you both very much. i only reminded you to keep the pool gate shut for safety. you are always welcome. i did not mean to scold you." 

i heard him and pushed out more frantic apologies because i for sure did not want him or his wife thinking for a second that we weren't grateful for the gift of using their pool freely-especially on such hot days like today..i just accidentally   [more so carelessly] forgot to shut the gate the last time we used the pool, running after kids and not double checking..Fritz had later come home to find the gate wide open. he was not thrilled and a firm reprimand was given.  all that to say, a written apology penned by [crushed] me, slipped into the crack of their screen door waiting for him when  he got home from prayer meeting, and well, here we were..

he stroked my brown arm again and reiterated, "i love you", and it sounded like a shepherd talking to me. between words spoken, i understood he was more than accepting my apology and there was not a linger left of anger, i let the love and grace wash over me. just before he pulled his strong and weathered frame from the car, he leaned in and brushed his fingers beneath my chin and said yet again, "i love you both so much, but especially you.." and i could have exploded beneath the pure unconditional love that reflected the gentle Father's love and affection so clearly.