Daddy

I have always been a daddy's girl! Always. There is something so special about a daddy...about MY daddy. He has always been a rock for me. He always knew and still knows what to do in all situations. I turned to him for all my problems. In fact, it took me a while after I got married to realize that it was now my husband's place to help me in a bind and not my dad's : )

He is the most generous person I know, to a fault. I'm sure I took advantage of that when I was younger (unfortunately he couldn't say no to his only daughter...who had also mastered the art of coyness). And I always, always knew he was and is proud of me.

Even though I have 2 brothers, he always included me, even when I didn't want to be included (I didn't think hunting when I had the flu was a great idea, but oh he tried!). He taught me to drive and was extremely patient with me as I almost hit the ditch turning onto our yard : ) He cried with me and for me, prayed for me and carried me and my family through when I was sick and almost dying. He beamed as he walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and clung to my arm just a little too tightly. And when I watched him lying in a hospital bed with cancer, praying for him to survive because I couldn't live without my daddy, he was still my strength. The day he came home from the hospital after his surgery and I proudly laid my newborn, firstborn daughter in his arms, I was so thankful that he had survived to be a grandpa to my child and she could now love him the way I do and know what a wonderful man he is.

He hasn't disappointed me as my children's Papa, either. He is loving and patient. Tender and playful. He takes time to teach them and hold their hands. He is one of their heroes and it makes my heart so full to watch them together. To know that the very first person my daughter asks for every morning and a thousand times throughout the day is her "Papa" makes me so happy.

I know you'll probably never read this, Dad, but I love you. You have given me a very good image of who my Heavenly Father is and I thank you for everything you've taught me. Happy Father's Day.