Today, I am writing to thank all the father's out there that have been an example to me.
The first one is my Heavenly Father. He has always been there for me. He has always help me along the way, even if it's just a little thing as turn this way. I know now to always listen to it. My children will ask me why are we going this way and I say because something told me too. When I don't listen, it usually delays me in some way or another. I have learned that Heavenly Father is always aware of me and is some I know to count on for everything. My relationship with him is probably a little different than most, I seem to discuss things with him(I don't want to say I argue with him, but in some cases over the years it has been that way) daily, I ask him all the time for direction, inspiration, and just plain help. He always provides it, but maybe not in my time frame or the answers I want, but I know it is what is best for me. I can be a little stubborn, but I know I need to do what is asked.
The second father in my life, I have not seen in over 30 years. That is probably the most difficult one to mention. What I remember is the love he share with me as his "little cherry blossom."(I was even thinking of naming H. Cherry). I remember the nights sitting with him, when he was sick. He would tell me, "You don't have to sit here, you can go in the other room." I would just tell him, "I liked sitting her," but it was mainly so I didn't have to go sit in the other part of the house by myself, while everyone was gone. My memories of him are short, mostly pictures that I remember. But there is a special place in my heart for him that will never fade. I might not have known the man, that was my Dad, but to me he was the best!
The third father in my life, is my husband. He is one of the biggest teases on the planet. He is loved being a Dad from day one. By day 2, he would say, "Is that all they do?" But by the time the 3rd child came along by day 2, he would say, "That is all they do!" From all the times of being jumped on, climbed on, rammed in the "begonias", spit up on, and everything else, he was grateful for the love he could share with each child. It was always nice to see my husband laying on the couch with a child laying on him and the both of them fast asleep. Which at our house has been a weekly occurence for the past 21 years! He loves when they want to help him in the garden, kitchen, and a lot of other place, but at times it takes a lot of patience on his part to be so willing to have them around him at every waking hour on the weekends. He always has been willing to help out whenever is needed, if it is before 9pm or after 5 am (he basically is a like the pumpkin from the Cinderella story between those times). But he is always willing to lend the hand that is needed in all things! He fixes, repairs, remodels, paints, changes, and just about anything you can think of for our family! He is patient with a talkative, loud, and bossy wife. He is the most routine man I know, and that's a good thing everyone tells me. He finishes everything he starts, but look out if it is the warmer weather - it needs to be outside tasks then, but when winter hits he is back to finishing the projects he had started before in the winter. He is a very hard worker at isn't recognized very often for all that he does. His sister once asked for his work boots to put up at her house. So my husband wrapped them up and gave them to her for her birthday. My children saw the present and were confused why she would want such a gift. She went on to tell them behind her tears, that everytime she looked at them it reminded her of all of his hard work. Some people might have things to show there hard work, but she would have his boots to show her how hard her brother works to provide for his family and nothing could be better. I know he works hard for us and I don't think that he could ever get paid enough for how much effort he puts in to his job, family, and callings. I think he is wonderful and I am glad he is the father of our children and my husband.
The last fathers that I will mention in my life are the ones that showed me what a father should be. I had a lot of fathers in my ward as a child. They took me on campouts, boating activities, and just treated my like a daughter in their families. I will always honor and respect the father's of my girlfriends. Each holds a special place in my heart - to Randall, Bob, and Blaine - thanks for being there when I was around!
One special mention was to 2 father's not forgotten. One was my step father, who I didn't really realize how much he did teach me until he was gone. Even though he was pretty mean at times, I realized after he was gone, how much he loved my mom and how much he wanted us to learn respect - especially to our mom. By the time I realized that, it was too late. I wished he could have a better experience as a father than he did, with his own children. But I do appreciate today what I learned. The last father, I have never known, but without him I wouldn't be here. My biological father, I will probably never know in this life, but I hope you are doing well in your life and are being a good father today!
Father's Day was the most difficult day for many years! But now I always want to make it special, because I can and I have someone to make it special for. I hope my children learn that showing, telling, and giving your appreciation for someone is the best thing you can do. Learning to appreciate the things you have when you have them is better than realizing you have lost that chance to show that appreciation.