My Dad

It seems only fitting on this beautiful day to write about my dad. I am blessed beyond measure to have an amazingly loving and caring father. He has been there for many of the struggles in my life and has been a solid support through everything. Growing up, my dad lived with an alcoholic father. While Grandpa was never abusing in his drunkeness he was absent for a lot of my dad's activities such as sports, choir concerts and other important events in a child's life. It wasn't until my dad was an adult that my grandpa finally got the help he needed and got sober. When Grandpa was battling dementia in the last years of his life, it was my dad who helped Grandma care for him. I know it was hard for Dad to put Grandpa in a home and I thank God that the last memory of my grandpa my dad has is of him being wheeled to watch tv, him turning around and telling Dad he would see him later.

Being a firefighter, my dad was absent for some of my brother and I's activities in school. There were birthday and holidays in which he had to work. At the time, I would be sad that he wasn't there but I always knew that it was part of his job. Dad expressed one time feeling bad for missing our stuff and I reassured him that Chris (my brother) and I both understood. He was working so that we would have food, clothing, and a roof over our head. While he was away for some things he was always there when it mattered most. He spent many a time on a hard bed in a hospital room as I recovered from back surgery. He was there to help me struggle through my math homework and study for tests. He ran for school board to help insure that the schools would be handicapped accessible for not just me but other students with disabilities. He was the one to give me my high school diploma. He has been involved with the museum for over 30 years and he is the one who has instilled the love of history in my life. He does so much for other people and asks nothing in return.

My dad is an amazing man. He has taught me so much. He has never allowed me to give up and he has always pushed me to be a productive member of the human race. He taught me to fight for what I know is right no matter what other people may say about you. He has encouraged me to follow my dreams and to work hard to make them come true. My dad may be goofy and sometimes he may drive me nuts but I love him. They say that girls marry the man that is most like their father and I hope that is true. I hope someday I will have a husband who possess all the qualities my dad possess and he will be as good a father to our children as my father as been to me and my brother.

So to all the fathers out there: You are the example in which your daughters will compare every man she dates. For your sons, you set the example of how they will treat women. Its a big responsibility. Children need their mothers but they need their fathers just as much. I hope you all have a Happy Father's Day. To my dad: thank you for everything you do. Thank you for loving my mother and thank you for loving Chris and I. You are the best.