Happy Father's Day to my dad!!! Happy Father's Day to all fathers and all males who may not be biological fathers but play such an important part of young people lives by helping, nurturing and spending time with them.
Michelle planned a special get together tomorrow evening for those in our family that can attend. I'm really fortunate to have my father live near me. He's had such a great influence on me and my children. He was a surrogate father for my children when Wayne was out of town. I remember him taking them to school and dropping them off every day before he went to work, just like he used to do for Debbie and me.
Grandpa was there to attend all of Steve and Greg's sport games. I don't think he missed one game and they played about every sport: basketball, baseball, soccer, football, tennis, golf, etc. At times there were many games a week and grandpa (and grandma) were always there rooting for their grandchildren. He also supported his grand daughters' activities and would be sitting in the audience watching their concerts, performances and activities.
My dad sat through all my musical performances. Even when I'd goof up and forget the words and start making them up when I was singing, he'd tell me that I did a good job. He'd put up with all our girlie stuff and drive Debbie and I around with our friends everywhere having to listen to us giggle and laugh the whole way. He'd get up on Saturday mornings really early in the winter to drive Debbie and I to pick up the bus to take skiing lessons in the winter or stay up late to pick us up at the movie theater or a friend's house on Friday nights.
My mom tells me that when I was three years old that whenever he'd pick up a newspaper to read, I'd go over and punch the paper to get his attention. Every weekend we'd go on at least one drive for hours, sometimes just around the area to look at homes or to browse around some stores. When we lived in California I remember going to the beach, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, etc. He always spent the weekend with us. As a teenager I remember him taking us all for hamburgers every Friday night. He'd plan our vacations way ahead each year and would wait for us by going to get a newspaper to read and take a walk while Debbie and I insisted that we sleep in and take our time getting ready.
My dad was always really athletic, handsome, responsible, dependable, honest, punctual and a very hard worker. He's very sensitive but tries not to show it. He still reminds me how I used to race to try and get the last piece of fried chicken and scoop of mashed potatoes and gravy before he could. He always sat through all my pageants, school and church programs. I remember him teaching Debbie and I to play "Horse" out in the driveway with the basketball hoop. We always enjoyed a ping pong tournament or checker game together. He could always beat us with his spins on the ball when playing ping pong and his thoughtful strategy when playing checkers.
When I was attending Brigham Young University, my dad would drive me all the way back to Provo after a weekend visit at home even if I was offered a ride from a male that was going back to Provo anyway, just because I didn't want to ride with the guy. My dad would invite me to meet him at a restaurant for lunch in Salt Lake City on my drive home from BYU on a Friday once in awhile. That individual time we spent together was really special to me.
I know that I took many things he did for me and our family for granted growing up - like the meticulous yard, sparkling clean cars, his long hours working and his devotion to my mother, Debbie and me. I always felt really secure and knew that he would be there for me. He spent every weekend and holiday with us and was always encouraging us to be on time to church.
He used to jokingly call me "speedy" because it took me so long to get ready and he'd have to wait for me to leave for church. I haven't ever asked him if he remembers when he stopped calling me speedy, but I remember. In college one of my cousins came to stay the weekend with us. She took even more time getting ready for church than I did and he had to wait even longer for her to leave for church. I don't ever remember him calling me "speedy" after that.
As you can all tell I have very special parents that taught me right from wrong from an early age. They were always there for me and I felt so secure at home. I've really been blessed and am still very blessed with having them in my life. I still depend on them in so many ways and they are just as dependable, loving and giving as always. I love you Dad and hope you have many, many more Happy Father's Days in the years ahead.
.jpg)
