It’s almost Father’s Day. I can honestly say that if there is something in my life that I have not done enough, it is tell my dad how wonderful he is, how much I love him, and how blessed I feel to have him not only in my life, but as my role model. I have always looked up to my father and thanks to him, I never settled for a man that was unable to at least compare to him.
It’s funny, if you think about it; they say girls tend to look for men like their father and in my case, it’s true. I not only have the best father a girl could ask for but I am married to the best husband and father for my children. I’m truly blessed.
I don’t think we realize how difficult it is to be a parent until the day we become one, and though hard to imagine, it never gets easier. I’m starting to realize that. In fact, it only gets harder as our children get older, as they grow, turn into young adults, and leave home. It’s challenging to let your kids grow up, to allow them to learn the hard way from time to time and eventually watch them become adults, and maybe, just maybe parents. I understand now why my father always said he wanted us to stay little forever.
Now, I watch my kids play with their father and it reminds me of my childhood. When my dad came home, it never mattered if his hands were empty or full, my siblings and I always ran to him, jumped in his arms, and told him about our day. It never mattered how bad his day was or how hard he worked, he always had time to listen to us. Now, as I sit on the other side, as a parent, it almost hurts to think about lucky I was back then and I didn’t even know it. There was a lot that I took for granted, including him, and for that I am sorry.
Since I always talk about my husband and kids, but rarely bring up my parents, I wanted to dedicate this post to my teacher and my hero, my father. Dad, I love you and can’t thank you enough for everything you have done and continue to do for me by being my dad.
When I was younger, I remember telling myself that I would never live in the country when I grew up because it was so boring. Of course the thought was short-lived because I was off playing with friends, imagining myself on a ship, pretending to battle my brother with a sword as we fought with sticks, riding my horses, taking off on the motorcycle, playing sports, going to the rodeo … and I thought I had it rough! Again, there was a lot that I took for granted and came to find out, as I grew older, there is no play that I would rather be, especially raising my children. The city might have something to offer other folks, but it just isn’t me, and this is the life I want to give my kids.
When I was young, I was never afraid because I had you in my life. Not only were you there to protect me but to guide and teach me. You never allowed me to settle for the “girlie” role. You taught me to be strong, the importance of family, to stand up for myself, and instilled in me the things that my siblings and I believe in. You always told us our dreams were all within arm’s reach and NEVER to give up on them. You taught me all these things, but most importantly, you helped me discover who I wanted to be as an adult, a mother, a daughter, and a friend.
I remember the day that I came home from school, the day that darn boy punched me, do you remember? I was only six years old and I didn’t know what to do. Mom told me to play it cool and not to let people get to me, but you took me outside and taught me what to do when someone threatens to hurt me. I still remember that boys face the next day on the bus, but more importantly I remember the look on your face when you came to pick me up from school. You didn’t care that I got kicked out of school for the day, at six years old, you were glowing with pride because I did what you said, and I didn’t let that boy push me around. I still remember the conversation we had, the way I felt, the clouds in the sky, and stopping at the store before we went home. I got a Snickers and Sprite, and you got Butterfinger and Coke.
I remember the basketball goal you put up for my brother and the countless hours you spent playing basketball with us. As I grew older, I went from riding a horse to driving a car, and just like you taught me to care for my horse, you taught me to care for my car. I still remember changing tires before school; it didn’t matter if it was cold. To this day, I have never been stranded because of a flat tire, yet I have had to help several friends change their flat tire. I didn’t understand what you were doing at the time but I get it now. Do you remember my first break job? You thought it was so funny and looking back I’ll agree I let frustration get the best of me. That darn yellow Subaru, I defiantly learned a lot working on that old thing with you.
I never remember going without. I had horses, went to rodeos almost every weekend, played sports, went fishing, camping, and so on. I’m still not sure how mom and you managed to give us the life that we had with so little money but you did and you both always smiled. We were far from rich but my childhood was rich and I am rich with childhood memories. I work hard and do my best to make sure my children will have the same; a childhood as rich as mine. I pray that one day they will look back on their life here with their father and me and feel the way I feel when I think about mine.
There is one thing I don’t remember you doing, not even once. I never remember you complaining about anything. We learn a lot as we grow up and are exposed to the world and all the cruel things parents protect us from. I wish I had known then what I know now, maybe I would have if you hadn’t protected me like you did. I had no idea how lucky I was to just have a father in my life, but you were so much more than that. You were and will always be my hero. There is and never will be any man who can compare to my daddy.
The best part of it all is knowing my kids have you in their lives too. From the very start, you have been there, taking them for summers, making sure to come and visit, and anytime we need you we know you and mom are only a phone call away. I truly have the BEST parents a girl could ask for. Happy Father’s Day dad, thank you for making my life rich and #DoinGood.
For all your fathers out there who show up and are part of your child’s life, hats off to you. My wonderful friends at Minute Maid created this video for all your dads out there to remember it’s not about the things you buy, or the money that was spent. All you have to do is show up, do your best, and love your children and I promise you are #DoingGood! Check it out and share it with other dads to remind them that they are #DoinGood!
