A Tribute to Dad

Dad: a child’s hero. A son’s example and teacher. A daughter’s guide and guardian. A man with more on his shoulders than most people tend to think. He is a leader, a teacher, a doctor, a caregiver, and head of the household. But more than that, Dad has a lot of amazing-ness underneath and unspoken that most people do not, and many will not, comprehend…

A man who fathers children, much like the woman who bears them, shares a bond with these children of his. Today’s society harps heavily on the “dead-beat-dad” and all too often the dad who has been there, is there, and will always be there is the unsung hero of this generation. This unsung hero has a heart for his children. He loves them from their birth until his dying day. My dad is this unsung hero. He has watched myself and my siblings take our first steps. He has listened as we spoke our first words. He was there to hold us when we took our first fall. While mommy is the nurse and comfort in many situations, it was daddy who got the cries of joy at the great accomplishments of life (so we thought chopping down our first tree, or building our first sled to pull behind the old tractor and not falling off were such accomplishments). “Daddy! Daddy! Look! I caught ten lightning bugs and they’re in my pockets! See?! My pockets are lighting up!”

Then there are growing pains. Yes, growing pains. There is a reason we call them this, because to grow we must learn. And learning comes by success AND mistakes. Dad, my dad, has been there for both types of events in my life, and that of my siblings. He has seen us grow, both by our successes and our mistakes, rejoiced with us in our joy and hurt with us in our pain, and he has NEVER turned his back on us for anything we have done. Why? Because he knows what I have discussed in a previous blog when I said love hurts, and sometimes it hurts to love. But it is love, and it is strong. A Father’s love knows no bounds. Even if he is in the midst of disappointments and sadness while watching as his children struggle or when they are in pain, and there is nothing he can do about it but pray. And pray, he does. Daily. Without fail, this faithful man will pray for his family every day. I’m quite certain he prays often more than once in these days for them. They are his children! They are a part of him, have a part of his heart!

My dad, as a father, is the best that I know! Not only is he a wonderful Father, but he is a wonderful friend. There are many people who are good friends, faithful and good, reliable and dependable…but it is true what they say that in a lifetime a person is truly blessed to have the ability to count on one hand the people in their life that are truly the best. My dad is one of those. When I need advice, I can go to him, when I have news (either good or bad) I can tell him. The never failing, ever faithful friend is he, just as he strives to be… like Christ…a true Christian man. I am more blessed than words can say to call him my father. My Facebook status on the night of Father’s Day sums up my heart in as short a way as I possibly could…

“There are so many people to whom I would love to say Happy Father's Day to, and tag each and every one of them...however I cannot, and you know who you are. To the special men in my life who are not my father, yet are like another father figure to me, you guys all rock…no really…you do. My daddy has been, is, and always will be the best dad for the job!! There are not many fathers out there who can bring up me and my siblings, and then deal with our crazy selves as adults! haha! My dad has a very healthy prayer life on his own, but I'm fairly sure I've given him his fair share of worn knees and gray hair... (Or hair loss? lol).
To my dad, thank you for being such an amazing example to me and the sibs, for being there for me every single time I needed you. For praying for me when I asked, and when I didn't. For loving me in spite of myself, just as a father with that Christ-like love would do. Your example is a great one to follow, and to follow your example would be and is an honor in every way. Would that one day my children will rise up when they are grown and have the same respect and love for me that I have for you...I will say I have done something right. Happy Father's Day.”