Happy Father's Day everyone (especially MY DAD)!
I feel really really fortunate. I have a super dad. I'm married to someone who I think is a super dad. And, there are so many other great dads that have influenced my life: Dave's Dad, Grandpa Mike; Grandpa Rory; my brother, Dane; Gabriel, Uncle Gary; Uncle Bob; Dave's brothers, Mike and Pat; Grandpa Huck; La's Chris; Cory K.; the kids' birthfathers; Kyle O.; some wonderful Bishops; some great teachers; and, lots of great friends.
For today's post, I wanted to pay tribute to my dad by listing some of the things I love and appreciate about him (in random order). Sorry to play the cheesy song, Dad, but for some odd reason, Rod Stewart reminds me of my childhood. Did you have a lot of his records? Or, did you have his haircut? Both? LOL!
I love you Dad. Have a great Father's Day. I'm proud to be your daughter:
Things I Love and Appreciate About my Dad:
* My dad always puts family first.
I think my brother and I were the ONLY kids that had a dad that was home from work at 11am every day. Granted, he had to go to work at 4:30am to make that possible! But, truly, this was a major defining event in my life--having my dad (and mom) home so much. Sure, a lot of this had to do with the job he was blessed with, but a lot of it had a lot to do with a commitment he and my mom made to the Dane and I. Both mom and dad could have worked a second job or picked up some major hobby to find fulfillment, but instead they gave their time to us.
* My dad loves to read.
For as long as I can remember, my dad would come home from work with a newspaper and/or book and read it every day. (It's no wonder I married someone that actually packed a few books on their honeymoon!) He loves to learn and he's pretty up-to-speed on world/current events. This is something that I appreciate and admire: his love of learning. And, I think this has taught me to try and always be aware of the world around me, to know about others' lives, and to do my best to be humble (and open to other ways of knowing, doing, and being).
* My dad eats to fuel his body. Period.
I'm not sure I admire this quality--LOL--but I do appreciate it. In fact, it's kind of a standing joke in my family. My dad really only eats to fuel his body. I think somehow his family evolved without the "craving gene." (Lucky for me, I got it!) Let me explain. If my dad had to choose a "last meal," it would be something like broiled fish, brown rice, and some steamed broccoli. He would not only be satisfied with this meal, he would probably leave some of it on his plate--because his body actually registers "full" at some point.
* My dad loves the 4th of July.
Now, I'm not sure my dad would say this about himself. I don't even know if anyone else would say this about my dad. But, I'm going to say it: the guy LOVES the 4th of July! How do I know? Because we would get ready for Independence Day in JUNE at our house. We always had the best firework show. (Lucky for me, this was the 80s--when you could still do fireworks in LA.) There were even years when my dad would ride his unicyle and put red, white, and blue streamers in the spokes. How many kids can say that?
* My dad tells you how he feels.
This is rare in dads and in men, I think. My dad is a "feelings" kind of guy. You always know how he feels, and you get the sense that he REALLY knows how you feel, too. (When my cat, Sly, died, I think he cried as much as I did.)
(Okay dad, forgive me if I've over-summarized and left out things that really do need to be said. I'm working on a deadline here. LOL!)
