Dads are great!
It's Fathers' Day! Here's a list of some of the reasons why my dad is wonderful.
When I wobbled on my bike without training wheels he was running right behind me for blocks.
He kissed my mom in front of us regularly, even back when we were juvenile enough to say, "EEEWWW!" He still kisses her lots in front of whoever's there.
He didn't attend church but he came to special church events that were important to us.
I was already finished with college and working when I had an emergency appendectomy. He drove the five hours from home to get me, driving me back home, taking care of me for a week and returning me to where I lived. Twenty hours of driving, a week of tired (whiny) recuperating daughter and he didn't complain.
Even though I know he cussed around his co-workers he hardly ever said those words at home. (It was rare enough that we actually used to "tattle" on him to my mom when he did. Hee!)
Despite occasional grumbles about "those durn animals" he always took good care of our family pets, whatever their fluctuations in numbers.
I don't remember this, but some of my earliest words were "sit-lap." They were said almost exclusively to him.
He made a conscious decision not to parent like his own father, who was verbally abusive.
My mom is the one who insisted that we have piano lessons, but my dad taught me a love of music.
When I was in fourth grade he visited my class to explain and demonstrate the uses of optic lenses. My classmates were so impressed.
I can remember going with him when I was quite young to the local university's telescope late at night to look at a planet.
Even now he'll shoot hoops in the backyard with any of us... and be gracious and funny if he loses.
He let me read the science textbooks on his shelves and patiently explained things when I had questions.
I love watching him play with my nephews and nieces. He can sit for hours with a baby on his lap, making funny noises.
My dad and me. I'm probably two in this picture. (I'm amazed it looks this good, since it's a photo of a photo.)
Dad with my oldest niece. (She's four now.)
If anyone wants to add any happy thoughts about fathers, feel free to do so in the comments. It might spark a memory that makes my list longer.
When I wobbled on my bike without training wheels he was running right behind me for blocks.
He kissed my mom in front of us regularly, even back when we were juvenile enough to say, "EEEWWW!" He still kisses her lots in front of whoever's there.
He didn't attend church but he came to special church events that were important to us.
I was already finished with college and working when I had an emergency appendectomy. He drove the five hours from home to get me, driving me back home, taking care of me for a week and returning me to where I lived. Twenty hours of driving, a week of tired (whiny) recuperating daughter and he didn't complain.
Even though I know he cussed around his co-workers he hardly ever said those words at home. (It was rare enough that we actually used to "tattle" on him to my mom when he did. Hee!)
Despite occasional grumbles about "those durn animals" he always took good care of our family pets, whatever their fluctuations in numbers.
I don't remember this, but some of my earliest words were "sit-lap." They were said almost exclusively to him.
He made a conscious decision not to parent like his own father, who was verbally abusive.
My mom is the one who insisted that we have piano lessons, but my dad taught me a love of music.
When I was in fourth grade he visited my class to explain and demonstrate the uses of optic lenses. My classmates were so impressed.
I can remember going with him when I was quite young to the local university's telescope late at night to look at a planet.
Even now he'll shoot hoops in the backyard with any of us... and be gracious and funny if he loses.
He let me read the science textbooks on his shelves and patiently explained things when I had questions.
I love watching him play with my nephews and nieces. He can sit for hours with a baby on his lap, making funny noises.
My dad and me. I'm probably two in this picture. (I'm amazed it looks this good, since it's a photo of a photo.)
Dad with my oldest niece. (She's four now.)
If anyone wants to add any happy thoughts about fathers, feel free to do so in the comments. It might spark a memory that makes my list longer.