I'm a day late for a Father's Day post, but my dad just stopped by to drop off some kindling (for future bonfires) and have dinner with us. One of the best things about moving back to Indiana has been being close enough for my dad to do things like that. While we were out East, my dad was only able to visit us 3 or 4 times (in 9 years), so there were some years that I only saw him once a year although mostly it turned out to be twice a year. Despite being a father of five, he's not exactly great with kids. He can be gruff. When we would come visit, their craziness was a lot to handle and he'd eventually get irritated and bark. Now that we're closer, it's easier. We're not all crammed into the same house for a week. He can come visit for a couple of hours and then go home. They have space to run and play while he visits. He's also trying harder to be a better grandpa, and he's developing relationships with the kids that didn't really exist before the move. That warms my heart!
For several years when I was younger, my dad worked second shift so we only saw him on weekends. He always made a point of taking us out on individual "dates" regularly. Dates to the hardware store, the baseball card show, the pool hall, the flea market. "C'mon, Angel!" Mostly he was just running errands, but they always included some kind of fun treat and I learned to sing harmony with him while listening to the Everly Brothers and Gary Lewis & the Playboys on the oldies station. I loved those times with my daddy! It made up for the barking (which I've inherited by the way!). He tried so hard and he's still trying! I'll never forget the birthday when I woke up to find a decorated cookie which he had bought for me; so thoughtful! He was such a good provider, even when times were tough. Life often dealt him a bad hand, but he always trusted God to provide and worked as hard as he could at any job he could find! We were so poor for a while, yet he always managed to give me a couple of dollars before I headed off to the football game or before a speech meet. It meant so much to me when I knew we had so little. I tried to spend as little as possible, and I always brought the change back. I knew how hard he worked; such sacrifice on his part compelled me to do so! I knew that he loved me.
I still know that he loves me, and that he's proud of me. Last week as he and I headed off to visit his family with the kids, I realized how blessed I am to have that kind of dad. The kind who will put up with 4 rowdy kids in the backseat while we drive several hours. The kind of dad who enjoys talking to me about almost anything. I know that I am fortunate and I am thankful! The neatest part is when we can have spiritual conversations. My dad has really started growing and maturing in his faith and understanding of God's Word in the past few years. I've really enjoyed talking to him about spiritual things.
I also appreciate how much he loves and respects my husband and the effort that he has taken to develop a relationship with him. He's been the one to initiate "guys night". I guess after 4 daughters and finally a son, he's excited to have sons-in-laws. Not that my sisters and I haven't watched many a Rambo or Rocky movie and lots of golf, bowling, and football at his side; snuggled up next to him on the couch. It's still one of my favorite places in the world!
Anyway, I've rambled on quite enough, and the kids need to be rounded up and put to bed; but my heart was so full of love and appreciation for my father that I just needed to take a couple of minutes and type them out. As my daddy would say, "Goodnight buckaroos and buckarettes and bimbonic beauties!"
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for...my daddy. |
