Father's Day

After church I stopped at the mailbox to pick up everything from when we had been gone on vacation. In the stack of mail was a card-sized letter addressed just to me. For a minute I thought my parents had forgotten exactly when my birthday was and were sending a card early, or my mom found a newspaper clipping to send and my dad had just addressed the envelope. However, when I opened the envelope I was reminded of the many reasons I love and appreciate my dad that were held inside. I've never doubted my dad loved me and was proud of me, and that my dad loved my mom; after working with my students I realize what a blessing that actually is. Thanks, Dad. We don't always get along, and I know my dad has flaws, but I appreciate the sacrificial example he's been of always putting God and my family first in his life even if it meant giving up what a lot of others would see as success. My dad told me a few months ago, "When I looked at my life when I was your age, Sis, I didn't think I'd be here. I thought I'd be taking it a lot slower, relaxing a lot more, and not worrying as much about work and money and paying off some of you kids' college loans. But, I'll tell you that I'm glad I was there for dance competitions, baseball games, and the memories. The three of you and your mom are my life....and that's a much better life than I had imagined." Thanks for being you, Dad. I love you.