Father's Day Part I

Happy Father's Day to my dad!  How to talk about my dad?  I have a great dad who set a high bar for the other men in my life.  He is someone who came from less than ideal circumstances, but leaned heavily on the Lord, sought out Godly men to mentor and guide him in his early adult life, so that later, he would go on to mentor and guide others, as well as be an effective partner and parent.  

My dad with me, a couple hours old

 He was very present in my growing-up years, an otter who loved to play, had big ideas, and was always ready to get on the ground for a round of Wrestle-mania and the Evil Slime Pit, or to read books, play games, or build things. 

I was probably six or seven months here.

My outfit had ruffles all across the bum and he made up a whole song about it called "Ruffle Buns."

My dad is one of those people who spots stuff on the side of the road and brings it home and makes something amazing.  When my sisters and I were young, he made us an airplane that we could ride in out of found materials.  It was awesome.  He is able to fix almost anything, and did several remodels in our various houses by himself.   

 

Reading to me and my sister.

He taught me how to fish.  I think that was the biggest one I ever caught.

My dad has always worked to live, not the other way around, but he taught by his example a strong work ethic, and that no job was beneath him.  He did a lot of menial work to put himself through pharmacy school, and then worked night shifts to later put himself through seminary.  When times were tough when I was growing up, he always said he would do whatever it took to keep food on the table, even if it meant working at McDonald's.  He would have too.  He is quick to do housework to help my mom (or me, when he visits!) and has long been the chief cook and bottle washer on Sundays.    

I made him a fisherman's cake for his birthday sometime in high school.

He is a steady hand in times of trouble, steering the ship of our family with a graceful and peaceful spirit.  He is very slow to anger, patient and kind.  He always takes the high road in the face of conflict, and seeks to be a peacemaker, but he also taught us to stand on our principles even when they are unpopular in a crowd.  When he is wrong, he is quick to apologize and make it right.

Playing Wrestlemania in the Evil Slime Pit with Piglet

He delights in the beauty of creation and has spent many years cultivating a garden and working the clay of the yard to make it blossom with green things.  His sense of humor is unique, and all of us girls have endured many of his fanciful made-up nicknames and accompanying songs and terrible-in-the-best-way jokes over the years.  (Mine is Birdurls.  Don't ask).   

Walking with Boo.

With Birdie.

He is smooth on his feet and played ice hockey in college, and we all learned our mad roller-skating moves from him.  He is an introvert who loves to perform (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...) and has acted in many church plays over the years (he did a particularly good turn as Mr. Potter in a stage production of It's a Wonderful Life), and assisted with building the sets for my mom who managed the stage.  

Makin' muffins with Birdie and Piglet

He is sweet and considerate of all the women in his life, but most especially my mom, whom he adores and strives to show it every day.  He volunteered to purchase feminine products when we were growing up, and was never embarrassed about the realities of being the lone male in a household of women (he grew up with a lot of sisters).    

He ran a little workshop with the boys one year to teach them some basics about how to use a screw driver and hammer and some other tools.

 

He has endured a tremendous amount of physical pain from various orthopedic issues and numerous surgeries, but he rarely complains, and you will almost never know that he is hurting all day, every day.  He loves a home-cooked meal (we rarely ate out growing up), but is never fussy about food; he is just happy to have it on his plate.    

With Ponchik.

My sisters and me and my dad, from a while back (2012?)

 He was thrilled to become a grandpa (or Papou, as my kids call him), and wanted to be the best and most fun Papou around.  (I think he succeeded).  He still plays legos and games, reads stories, and teaches the grandkids all sorts of handy skills, and I'm so grateful for all the time my kids get to have with him.    

Father's Day 2015

I'm so blessed to have him as my dad.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!