Honoring Dad

I feel compelled to say thanks to "The Dads" in my Life.

Many years ago, my oldest daughter Susanne, gave a card to her Dad, that he put on her picture and sees everyday, it says......"Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad.  Yes, he is that wonderful a  Dad.  No he's not perfect, but  he tries to be the best "Dad" he can be.  He instituted QFT(quality family time) in our home and "Best Buddy Day".  QFT was so special no one wanted to miss it!!! Sometimes even the neighborhood kids joined in!!  After Hugo hit our part of the country we were without power for almost 2 wks. so with nothing else to do at night, we played games, charades mostly.  One night we were having so much fun, that a car full of teens pulled up to the house and ask our kids if they were having a party.  Yes, we were!!!

"Best Buddy Day" was a special 'one on one 'time with Dad.  On these days he would take one of the children off for a special day with him.  Sometimes he would take them out of school for "Best Buddy Day".  They probably enjoyed these the best!!  And sometimes even now he has "Best Buddy Days" with them.  None of our children had to get student loans to go to college!! And we had 3 in college at the same time.  No, I can't tell you where the money came from every time, it was just there when we needed it!!! His planning and our praying , and the fact that God is Just That Amazing  is what I credit with this achievement!!

Yeah, he's that Special!!  And I haven't even told you how special a husband he is!!!  Can you say.... "Sugar Daddy"?

My Dad was such a love!!!  He not only cared for his own children, but he and mom took in other people's children to raise.  I have two foster brothers, and they raised 3 of my cousins until they finished high school.  Dad worked for the school district and was always in the  schools repairing this or that.  Many times he would come home and tell mom that he saw this child or that child and they needed shoes, or clothes, or a jacket.  Off they would go to make sure this was taken care of.

My Dad had heart problems all of his adult life, due to having had an illness as a child. When he was released from the Army after WWII, he returned home and was unable to work for awhile.  During this time he became the original, "Mr. Mom".  He took care of us and the house, while Mom worked.  He was a great cook, and loved doing it!!!   Even after he was able to return to work, he was always the one who got us up, fed and off to school!!!

My Dad grew up in Florida, he was raised during the depression, so he started working when he was 12 yrs. old.  Like many people it was a way of life for him.  Because dad was raised up and down the west coast of Florida, he believed that if a child could walk he should also be swimming!!! Yes, he threw us in and we learned to swim in order to survive!!!  My Mom never learned to swim.  Daddy loved to swim and I did a lot of it as a child, not in a pool, but in ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks, and The Ocean!!!  There was nothing more fun than summer with my Daddy.  As I told you before, he loved to camp!!! We camped!! In tents, in campers, but mostly he loved to "rough-it".  That's right, just go down by the riverside, and throw up a tent!!!  Yeah, he was that Special!!!  No he wasn't perfect, but he did his best!!

Now to the other "Dads", my son-in-laws, Chris and Rusty!!! I can't thank the Lord enough for Dads like these two.  They are loving examples of what a dad should be.  I get to see how they parent often, and am totally amazed at how God paired them up with the right person to parent with!!!  But how could you not love their children, they are after all my grandchildren!!!  Yeah, they are that Special!!!  No they are not perfect, but they are doing the best they can. I know that they are following examples that have been set before them..... mainly their Heavenly Father.

As special award goes to "Uncle Buck".... though he has no natural children of his own, he is a "special" example of a Dad.  The way he loves and cares for and about his students is often above and beyond the call of duty.  And the way he loves and cares for his niece and nephews is sooooo special!!!  I know they would each join me in saying a special "Thank You".  Yeah, he is that Special, no he is not perfect!!!  But he is looking at his Heavenly Father to set the example.

"Fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4)

" The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him." (Prov. 20:7)

When a Dad who loves the Lord corrects, comforts, instructs, and provides for the needs of his children, he models for them our "Perfect Father" in heaven. (Cindy Kasper)

            Heavenly Father.... thank you for loving dads, who love you and follow after you! I praise you for being the example of what a Father should be!!!