My Dad

I am so thankful that my dad turned out to be more than just a great dad. He turned out to be an amazing Granddaddy, or as the boys say, “the best granddaddy in the whole world.” Joshua said that this morning. Now that’s not to overlook DaddyO, as he is the greatest DaddyO in the whole world. 😉

Of course, before he was the greatest granddaddy, he was the greatest dad, and he still is.

My dad did a lot of saving the day this year. He went to Virginia and picked up my van when every other plan had failed us. He helped my mom maintain order and take care of the children on my 2 week vacation with Alan out West. You don’t find too many folks that can take on a baby, a preschooler, and 2 ‘big’ boys for 2 whole weeks. Ya’ll did a great job. THANK YOU!!!!!

Dad and Alan got totally overlooked on Father’s Day, since we were traveling that day. This week is my dad’s birthday, and I just can’t overlook him this time!!!

There was this one day, while we were staying at my parents’ house, that Joshua walked outside, after having gotten in trouble for his attitude, and I saw that Dad was already out there. I told Mom, “Good. I hope Dad gives Joshua one of those lectures about life.” 🙂 I used to hate those!!!  But I’m so thankful you gave them to us, Dad!

I’m thankful for so many things that you did. I’m thankful you knew how to do that whole “tough love” thing. Of course, we learned early on that your bark was much worse than your bite (there was no bite). My dad just has this air of authority. You can’t fake that. When Dad enters the room, he’s in charge, and everyone knows it, but I can’t explain it at all. When he says ‘go,’ you go, and that’s all there is to it. Of course, I pushed and prodded and tested him anyway. I can’t imagine where Joshua gets it from…..

There are so many things I learned from my dad. My favorite? I love that you taught me to love boating, Dad. You let me ride on your ski boat to my heart’s content, and you never made me fish. I just liked to ride. Alan and I once took one of these “marriage surveys” to see what activities we both enjoy. We had a grand total of ONE activity in common: boating!

That’s me driving a pontoon boat, Spring Break, my senior year of high school.

….And you prepared me for my life as an Army wife. Saying ‘good-bye’ and “welcome home” were not foreign concepts to me. I made this sign for my dad when I was a child. He was coming home from the Panama Conflict.

Dad has always been fun too. This is me getting tickled, I’m sure. We used to have a running game of “last lick”, and I just can’t explain how much fun that was.

I’m amazed at how much we’ve all changed over the years, and we had the greatest joy when Dad accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior about six years ago.

I think it’s important to not wish your life away, and that’s been really hard not to do this particular summer!! Even though things have dragged out much, much longer than we had hoped, at least my children got to go spend time with the people that matter the most to us. I hope some Granddaddy wisdom and leadership rubbed off on them. I hope some Nana sweetness and affection got poured in there too–and perhaps some Nonna industriousness and stick-to-it-iveness and a little DaddyO calm and humor.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!  I love you so much, and I hope you get to come and visit very very very soon!!