Happy Father's Day!

My dad and his favorite item - the coffee maker

I am unabashedly a daddy's girl. Even at the age of 42. My mother, to this day, gets irritated with me because she says I always take his side. But when you have a dad like mine, you can't help but be his biggest fan! There are so many reasons why he's a great father, and one reason is no better than another, so here is a Top Ten of why I am, with a capital "D," a Daddy's Girl:

1. Even at my advanced age and no longer fit this nickname, he will still call me "Runt" sometimes. That tickles me!
2. He is the only coach that would consistently put me in the softball game. Even though I was horrible, and even at game-winning times knowing I am not even close to being the best player. My dad did this because he believes in fair play, and letting everyone have a chance to contribute. Not a bad lesson to learn as a young girl.
3. The summer between my junior/senior year in college, I decided that I didn't like my major, and wanted to switch. Instead of telling how foolish that would be, Dad listened to my reasons, explored the pros and cons, and let me decide for my self what to do. Patience and practicality - another good lesson.
4. When my grandpa (my mom's dad) died, my sister was going to take me to Iowa for the funeral, but I didn't want to wait the extra day or two to go. I wanted to get to my grandma sooner than that. My dad drove hours out of his way to come and get me from college. It wasn't the first time he did something like that, and it wasn't the last. He always shows his love for his children.
5. He is giving my children memories that are similar to those I treasure of my grandpa - teaching them to fish, spending special time with them. My dad is the best grandpa for them!
6. For a time when I was in middle school/early high school, my dad did the grocery shopping after he picked me up from piano lessons on Saturday morning. Rare was the time that he couldn't be talked into a candy bar (my mom never could be talked into that!). It made up for the generic potato chips.
7. My church youth group was never turned away from my house - my dad was always willing to make up a huge batch of popcorn for whomever came over.
8. Need a door knob fixed? Dad can do that. Heavy pictures hung? I can count on my dad for that, too. He's also good with moving heavy items, helping to pick out cars, fix screen doors, and changing garage light bulbs. There is very little he can't figure out.
9. When I was a Peace Corps volunteer, my parents were supposed to come visit me. My mom was a bit nervous about travelling to a third-world country, but my dad said he was coming no matter what. Always up for an adventure, that is my dad.
10. This sort of goes along with the above, but no matter what, my dad is there for me. Whenever I call in panic, he listens and advises - but he advises only if asked. He will stay there with me through very hard situations, and he will stand in for me. Four months ago, he helped me through the worst situation I could be in, and he stayed calm and rational to be my rock.

My dad shows faith in action. He is a man who might not talk much about his faith, but you know what it means to him by his actions, by his manners, by how he treats and helps others. There are so many reasons why he is a great man, I could not do him justice. But if you have the good fortune to meet him, you will see in a moment why no superlative could do him justice. Can you tell I love my dad?!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD! YOU ARE LOVED!!!

Fishing is Fun, Really!

As anyone who knows me will tell you, worms and I do not get along. So what was I doing near a fish you ask? Why, I will happily tell you - the children and I went fishing with my dad and grandpa this weekend. And my 93 year old grandpa put us all to shame!

The children heard their grandpa and grandpa-great talking about fishing, and insisted they should go fishing too - there went my plans for a relaxing Saturday! Needless to say, my dad needed me to go along, as Grandpa would need a little help - not that I am much help, seeing as I flat out REFUSE to bait the hook or remove a fish! (I had a secret weapon, though - my grandpa said he would do it for me if my dad wouldn't!) So out we trekked to Mr. Lenz's pond for an afternoon of fishing.

Before my dad could cast his own line, the princess caught a fish almost as soon as her line was in the water. Here comes her grandpa to take that fish off the hook - then, he went back to bait and cast his own line, yet oops! Princess catches another fish! Now, a considerate daughter would attempt to remove the fish for her daughter herself - but I have not been called a brat for nothing!

As much trepidation as I had for getting dirty and touching slimy things, we had the most fun that afternoon as we've had in a long time. Not only were we able to spend time with two of my most favorite people, but the children learned how to cast their own lines - and are quite good at it too. When the fish stopped biting, we sang our fish songs - and wouldn't you know, the princess caught another fish after we finished singing! The big guy was able to spend time with his grandpa teaching him the proper 'jerk and reel in' method for catching a fish, and I was able to watch my grandpa spend the afternoon doing something he just loves doing.

The sweetest moment for me was watching my grandpa casting out for the big bass that kept eluding them all afternoon, who actually jumped off my dad's hook, while my dad was packing up everything else. While my dad put up all the other poles, put the caught fish in the bucket, packed away the fishing tackle, my grandpa kept casting out. At 93 yrs. old, my grandpa still sets the wonderful example of how to keep trying. It was a long afternoon for him, but I just loved watching him fish, and I loved watching my dad in the role of being a son. There is something about watching my own dad be the child (albeit the grown-up child) that was touching - I could see where my dad became such a good father - he had a very good role model.

May they both keep fishing, and may I be around to spend more Saturday afternoons touching mud and muck. Maybe next time I'll even bait a hook! (You're right - that won't happen!)