This Father's Day, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the very important fathers in my life...
My dad and I began our father/daughter relationship over 29 years ago. It's amazing to think about how far we have both come and how much we have both grown during that time.
When I was born, dad was in his residency for medical school. Twenty four hours on followed by twenty four hours off (repeated over and over and over again), meant that we didn't get to spend as much time together as we would have liked when I was little. I could possibly just be using this as an excuse to explain why my dad can describe my brother at age 2 as being "inquisitive" and "bright", but describes me at 2 as simply "bubbly". All the bright and inquisitive stuff must have come out during his 24 hour shifts at work...
As I got older, I knew that my dad was someone that I could always count on and who would always be there for me no matter what. He worked hard during his days at the hospital, but never lacked in energy or enthusiasm when he came home to spend time with his family. He played with us and laughed with us. Rog and I spent countless hours wrestling with dad or being attacked by the tickle monster.
Over our years together I have learned so many different things from my dad. Even though I still roll my eyes when he says, "It is what it is!", I have found this to hold true in many aspects of my life. He taught me to roll with life's punches, whatever they may be and how to be a good friend and listener. He taught me how to throw a basketball, cut the grass, and parallel park a manual car between a Corvette and a brand new Nissan. He taught me how to fillet a fish and how to cook red spotted catfish. He taught me how to dance (although I think I still need a few more lessons!) as we danced to "Lady in Red" in the family room of our house and competed in dance competitions at four Father Daughter Dances. He taught me that anger always comes from fear and that you have to work for good fortune in life, instead of just expecting it to be handed to you.
Throughout all of these life's lessons, he was patient and compassionate. He patiently tried to teach me how to golf, but never got frustrated when summer after summer I was never able to make contact with anything more than the grass. He didn't yell when I downshifted from fifth gear straight into first gear while exiting the highway for the very first time in his Bronco II.
Patience...compassion...love...
All of the same qualities that I see in my husband, the father of my two beautiful daughters.
When I married Steve, I knew that he would make an amazing dad to any children that the future had in store for us. When our twin daughters were born a little over two years ago, he actually proved me wrong. Instead of the amazing dad that I thought he would be, he was so very much more than that.
While I always knew he'd be a great dad, he far surpassed my expectations and continues to do so on a daily basis. Parenting has always been about sharing the duties equally, as far as he's concerned. He has always been more than willing to help change diapers and give bottles. Bath time is always a family event at our house, because Steve wouldn't miss it for the world. He sings songs, read stories, colors, and plays with PlayDoh with more enthusiasm than I could have imagined.
Sometimes I sit back quietly and watch Steve interact with his daughters. It's such an incredible sight to behold. Seeing his eyes light up with love for them melts my heart every time. He nurtures them and cares for them in a way that is so complete...it simply blows me away.
And their love for him? To see how excited they are when he walks in the door each day or when they get to talk to him on the phone is priceless. They are daddy's girls, there's no question about that!
When I think of the bond that my girls already have with their daddy and know that it will only get stronger with time, it brings tears to my eyes. Just as I was so lucky to have patience, compassion, and love from my own father, my girls get to enjoy these same qualities in their own father.
Happy Father's Day Steve and Dad. I love you both. Thank you for helping me to become the person that I am today!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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4 comments:
My dad died of cancer when I was 34. When we learned his cancer had spread to his brain, I was with him alone in the hospital, and broke the news to him. I clearly struggled with the news. I will never forget his words as he put his hand on my. He told me that the greatest gift anyone could have was to watch their kids grow up to be successful, respected, ethical and moral people whose presence made the world a better place, and that he was blessed to have watched his two sons achieve that. And then he said "Don't be sad, my work is done here."
I too have been blessed to have two great kids that have grown up to be outstanding people. A father can ask for no more. Thank you Heather for the best Father's Day gift a dad could want. I love you.
Heather's Dad
You have been very blessed Heather, as we all have. Your father was always very dedicated not only to his profession, but his kids, and still is. How wonderful for you to be able to reflect on how important that has been to you and that you now have a life-long partner that demonstrates those same qualities that you hold so dear. And even more important, that you have both of them in your life to love and to treasure. It is an amazing gift, not only on Father's Day, but every day.
What a beautiful post! Plus, your dad's comment ... it's just so sweet!
P.S. - potty training is not going that well. I'm not sure if Griff is ready. We'll do great and then he'll cry when I get the potty out. I'm thinking about putting it on hold for a couple of weeks. Keep my updated on your progress!
My comments on your blog aren't always timely, but I am new to this whole "blogging" thing...Thanks for the kind and thoughtful words. The easiest part about being a dad to our two girls is all the teamwork that goes into it. You bring a lot of love, patience, and common senses to the situation. I love being parents with you. You are an amazing mother and don't forget it!
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