After Father's Day I started working on a blog about things I have learned from my dad and hope to pass on or do for Grayden. Needless to say, I got distracted and had yet to finish. But as my dad had to come to our rescue yesterday (which I will go in to detail about later), I remembered I needed to finish this blog and share to all of you what an amazing dad I have and why I hope to resemble him in some way.
I was not fortunate enough to meet my dad's father. He passed away before I was born and I only have the stories that my dad shares with me to imagine what he was like and what kind of grandpa he would have been. From what I hear, I think I would have really enjoyed his company. And I wonder what he would have thought of me. My dad loved him. My dad learned many life lessons from him and I imagine some of those are the ones he passes on to us.
I feel SO grateful that my dad will be here when Grayden is born. I can't wait for them to meet! I am glad that I won't just have to pass stories on to my son, but that he will get to experience my dad first hand. And maybe my dad can pass on some of the lessons to Grayden himself.
So here are some of the favorites:
Sometimes Laughter is the Best Medicine - I have never known someone that has the gift to make people laugh in the toughest of circumstances like my dad. Growing up, my dad ALWAYS found a way to make me laugh, especially when I was crying. Don't get me wrong...he would hug me and hurt with me, but he always knew how to make me laugh. There is something to be said about being able to laugh at your situation. Maybe it helps put it in perspective, or maybe it just eases your pain temporarily, but either way laughter is good for the soul. I hope I can make Grayden laugh...although I wouldn't dare think myself as witty as my dad, but I hope that I can ease his hurting with a little laughter. I imagine as a parent watching your child hurt is one of the hardest things and most helpless feelings, but being able to make them laugh must somehow make you feel better.
Selflessness - We didn't grow up with a lot of money. We didn't drive new cars or go on extravagant vacations, but I don't recall lacking anything. My dad is the pastor of a smaller church, so let's just say he isn't exactly bringing home the big bucks. And there were times that he had to work a second job temporarily to make ends meet. But usually when he took on an extra job is was to provide something my sister or I needed. I can remember one time when he took a job on the side throwing papers in the wee hours of the morning. I went with him a couple of times and slept in the warehouse and the car while he worked. It is humbling to look back as an adult and realize he was probably doing that to give me something I needed. While I slept, he was selflessly working for me. He put away his own pride and exhaustion to provide for us.
You Never Stop Caring - I am a grown woman, and as I mentioned earlier, my dad had to come to our rescue yesterday. I wish I could say that was the first time in my adult life. Our van broke down yesterday in Galveston. So what does my dad do...tells us to go enjoy the beach and he will drive to come get us. Not only did he drive to come get us, he chose to join us for a swim (in his regular clothes) in the ocean before heading back. I was reminded of a time in college when my friends and I drove to Panama City Beach. One of the cars broke down on the way. With the mechanic there telling us it would be over a week to fix it, we called my dad...who said enjoy the week and he would drive to pick us up at the end and tow the car back. And that is what he did. He drove through the night 12 hours, decided not to wake us up and rested in his truck, and then drove us straight back while towing the broken down car. Talk about a good dad!! I can't even begin to list the many times my dad has helped me out. When we need advise or help with something, he is there. It's a love that goes beyond age.
Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover - As human beings, it is hard not to make judgments off first impressions. We make assumptions based on the way people look, talk, etc. My dad was always careful about making any judgments about people without getting to know them. He has always had a way of getting to know people for who they really are. You never know what someone's life has been and why they look or act the way they do. I have to say that this is one of those lessons I try very hard to live by, but probably fail at often. I have seen in life that some of the people that society would never peg as God-fearing Christians are the one's with the biggest servants hearts. They love the Lord and are so grateful for what He has done. It has made me realize that the "cover" may not be flashy and shiny and new, but the "contents" can be rewarding.
Six Ways to Kill a Man - Okay...so not exactly kill a man, but there is nothing funnier perhaps than a dad trying to teach his daughters how to defend themselves military style. There are actually a few things I remember from it, but thankfully have never had to use. I am pretty sure I am going to leave this lesson up to him to teach Grayden.
Be Yourself - My dad never tried to make me be like anyone else. Don't mistake that for him not teaching me right from wrong and instilling morals and values. He certainly taught me those things. But he never tried to make me act like anyone or behave like someone else's kid. For that matter, my sister and I were pretty different and he never compared us. My dad is one of those people that if you ask him how anything is going...church, golf, etc., he will say something like..."it's terrible" and laugh. He will follow it up with something better, but he just doesn't play the "let me impress you with how awesome my life is game". He is who he is. Some love him and some don't. But he decided long ago not to let the opinions of others change him. And that's how I grew up. I am thankful for being taught that at an early age. It enabled me not to compromise who I was for someone else. And it also taught me not to worry about trying to impress everyone.
Our Father's Love - They say the relationship you have with your earthly father directly affects the relationship you have with our heavenly Father. Lucky for me, I have an earthly father that practiced a ton of grace with me. I have done a lot of stupid things. But I have never once felt like my dad didn't forgive me or still love me the same. In the early part of my pregnancy, I had a health scare. I had a previous diagnosis that was apparently not good for pregnancy and so I had to meet with new doctors and have new tests run and it was scary. I remember talking with my dad about it one day and getting emotional. I knew in that moment just by looking at my dad and what he said that he would give anything to fix it. I knew if he could make it all okay he would. As I left his house that day, I immediately thought of God. And I thought if my earthly dad knows how to love me this much, how much more must God love me. God, my creator, the one who made me how I am, the one who died for my sins. How much must that Father love me. I feel sad for kids that grow up with strained relationships with their dads. I wish their dads were showing them the Father's love. I hope and pray that I will be able to show our Father's love to Grayden in that same way of forgiveness, compassion and grace that my dad had with me.
I am often told I am like my father...usually by my mom when I am misbehaving, but by other people as well. No matter how they mean it...I always take it as a compliment. My dad is truly one of the great ones. I will never know why God blessed me with such a good dad, but I will be forever grateful. And I hope I can pass on to Grayden what he has given me.
