This weekend I reflected a lot on how wonderful my family is. I spent a lot of time with family as I stayed with Vanese's kids while she was at the hospital. I don't think I have given enough praise to my father and I would like to dedicate a paragraph or two to him...right now.
My dad is one of the best men I know. He was a wonderful father who took care of us in so many ways. He was always willing to tickle us, play creative games (like the rhino, CHARGE!!!), throw us around in the swimming pool, go camping, take us to the beach or to grandma's, and in general be there for us.
He is so generous with his time, talents and finances. He is willing to help anyone and has a sincere love for ALL people around him. Almost every night of my childhood Dad would come home and we would pray and eat together. He would ask us about our day and tell us funny stories about his. He always had a good joke to share and we would laugh together and then read scriptures. He would hug us and kiss us and carry us to bed if we fell asleep in the living room. (Sometimes we would pretend we were asleep so he would have to carry us anyway--we loved that.)
Some early mornings before seminary he would make us breakfast and share thoughts for the day. During my brother's last year of high school, in the morning he would read books to him out loud that would prepare him for a mission as my brother walked around the house getting ready for school.
He wanted to prepare us for life. He wanted to give us all the necessary knowledge we would need to be good citizens, people and saints. He truly taught us how to be happy and helpful in a world full of negativity and hate. My dad is honest, trust-worthy, smart, lively, positive, energetic, happy, unique, sincere, humble and vociferous.
He taught us how to garden, how to weed, how to work, how to play, how to eat healthy, how to practice, how to dance and how to gain a testimony and live the gospel.
He showed us how to be thankful and appreciate the bounteous beauty around us. So many nights and mornings he would pull us out of the house to see the sunrise or sunset. He would hike us up mountains so we could be on "top of the world" and lead us down canyons, through rivers and forest to show us his love for nature and all of God's creations.
You good-looking bear, don't you ever die. :)
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5 comments:
Oh, I liked that and I agree with everything. What Rachie says is all true! :) Love you and love dad too.
Love this. Absolutely true. It also made me think of all the wonderful fathers blessings and how he treated mom. Such an excellent example for me. Love you sister, and love you Dad!
Here here. I agree to the highest degree. We have the best Dad ever. I love you Dad! And I love the rest of you too.
Yea! for Dad! I love all that stuff too! He was so good at finding, planning and actually doing fun stuff together. He truly strives to live what he believes and teaches us. Jason is always greatful for his execellent example too. Thanks Dad, there are very few people like you in the world—we're so lucky. I love you!
I will be the first non-sibling to add some cheers to your ode. You have a pretty amazing dad alright.
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