This was written for Father's Day. The church my brother, Jeff, pastors was doing a tribute for fathers. I was asked to write something. Here's to you Daddy - with LOVE!
Memorable Moments
When Jeff, my brother, called and asked to me to write something about Dad for Father’s Day I said sure. Once I hung up the phone I was thinking I’m not sure what to write. A moment, an event, a memory that would best describe my relationship with my father – how could I choose? I spent the rest of the day, evening, and even a sleepless night remembering and this is what has come to me. There isn’t ONE moment, ONE event, or even ONE memory that could explain, describe or even communicate what is between my Dad and me. I have a few thoughts I would like to share:• Knowing that my Dad knew a “good thing” when he met my mother and married her
• Taking in his brother in-law’s children, even though he had a young son and infant daughter, and loving them as his own
• Jeff and I sitting in his lap on Christmas Eve and watching the Santa Radar
• Sitting by my bedside one night when I was very sick with the hives (I remember waking up and seeing him there)
• Carrying me from my bed to Mom when I was having a nightmare and talking in my sleep
• Working numerous hours and jobs to support his family (I use to tell my friends that my Dad worked 8 days a week: Sunday – Saturday with a double shift on Saturday)
• Finding me a job when I turned 16 even though I tried to convince him that I didn’t really need to work
• Letting Mom teach me how to drive (was probably a big plus for our father/daughter relationship)
• Being honest and telling me I could have a college education or a car, either way I had to pay for it (I chose the college education!!)
• Believing that I could do or be anything I wanted and never doubting my choices or decisions (at least not out loud)
• Laughing hysterically at his many adventures and misadventures while on the road as a salesman
• Experiencing the love and respect he had for his parents
• Witnessing his dedication to his siblings and standing beside them during their difficult times
• Watching him become more sentimental and emotional after the loss of his parents
• Having him walk me down the aisle to the man who would be just as important in my life and heart as he had been (and still is…)
• Having him tell me the story of my birth at least 50 times over the years
• Knowing he will call me on my birthday and ask me if I feel any older (my response: no that doesn’t usually hit me until mid-year, but I sure do miss my eyesight)
• Memories of him peering through the window of the neo-natal care unit trying to catch a glimpse of his first grandchild, Emily
• Watching him play with Emily and patiently be her customer for a shampoo, haircut, and blow dry (sometimes even had pretend makeup applied)
• Having him rush me to the emergency room when I was pregnant with my second child, Sarah, because my husband was out of town and Mom had to stay with my oldest daughter; being totally out of his comfort zone and having to be my only support during a surgical procedure to help my situation
• Always being the customer for Emily and Sarah when they wanted to play waitress
• Loving his hometown enough to run for political office
• Working at a daycare and being a positive and loving influence to the children he helped care for
• Forgiving me for the hurtful things I’ve said and the hard choices I have had to make through the years.
Through all the good, sad, funny, loving, and bad times, I have NEVER doubted my Dad’s love!! His love for me has truly been the definition of unconditional!
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