Dad had his issues just like we all do, but he loved giving hugs and taking pictures with his family.
Behind every picture is a story. We kind of forget that these days when pictures are so easy to take. We used to have to bring a camera along and then get the film developed not knowing exactly what we'd get when we picked up the finished pictures.
There's a spiritual exercise I recommend you try sometime called Imaginative Prayer. You read a passage of scripture that involves a scene of some sort -- like Jesus feeding the thousands with a few loaves and fishes. Or, maybe you read about Jesus and the disciples on the boat when he quieted the storms. After you read it, picture it in your head. Imagine it. And then, imagine you in the scene. Where would you be? What would you be doing? Would you be right at Jesus's side? Would you be in the thick of action? Would you be asking questions? You know you. You know how you interact with others. What would you be doing?
When you put yourself in the scene honestly, Jesus can reveal things to you about yourself you never took notice of or maybe you never knew. Or maybe he will speak to you about himself. Whatever the case, I guarantee you will gain something from this kind of prayer.
I took part in this exercise once. I believe I thought about the Feeding of the 5000. I put myself in the scene; I found myself on the fringe of the action. That's where I thought I'd be because all my life I've felt like I was "just Jane." Like, oh, that's just Jane. No biggie. Jesus told me I wasn't "just Jane" to him. None of us are "just ______" to Jesus. None of us.
Maybe it's the pictures. Maybe it's the gray day. Maybe I'm reading something into a situation that I shouldn't. But I'm finding again I feel like "just Jane." No biggie. Who cares. Or maybe it's grief. Or maybe it's just a gray cloud flitting through my brain.
Or maybe it's just being human. Everyone has gray days. And this is a big reason we don't base our faith on feelings. Feelings come and go. If we base our faith on feelings, we will fall away when things feel bad. Instead, base faith on the Word which doesn't change. It's full of promises that God is just waiting to fulfill in your life!