How we Love our Dads................

Seems like Fathers Day snuck up fast-I had to check my calendar to be sure this is Fathers Day Weekend and my heart immediately went to memories of my Dad.  It was like watching a movie, moments in time from being a very young child to teenage years, becoming a young woman and then finally Marriage.

I struggled in finding a way to share a brief tribute about my Dad and to give a Loud THANK YOU to all the Dads of this world and it hit me-"Martha-let your heart pick them out" and so here we go:

Childhood years:  We lived on a large ranch with every animal possible-each year Daddy would take me by the hand, showing me so many Expectant Mother Goats while telling me "Now Sister, You can pick one of these Moma Goats and she is yours to keep an eye on!"  I loved doing this and each Moma Goat seemed to have twins which was icing on the cake for me!

Teenager: This memory came the morning after my big night of graduation from high school- I had no clue as to where my life should go- no need to rush it.  As I sat down for breakfast that morning, Daddy sat quietly, looking as if he had been waiting for me-I reached for some toast, making eye contact with him and that was the Go signal-"Daughter-what are your plans now?"  Silence hung in the air as my mind is thinking "Plans" but instead I  said "I don't know Daddy." His next words left a lasting impression with me-"Sister, if you are going to stay here, then you better go get a Job today, and don't come home until you find one!"

It probably sounds a bit hard for a Dad to say this to his daughter-but I heard them, loud and clear.  I dressed quickly, grabbed the newspaper and headed to town, praying to find a job.  God was with me, and I found a job sewing jeans at a factory.  Within a few hours, I had gone from a clueless teenager to a young
woman who found out she could get a job and earn her way, and I returned home that evening, filled with pride!

Grown Woman:  Daddy was ill and living in a beautiful assisted living facility-I knew his time was short but never dreamed how quickly God was going to call him home.  I was on my way to get Injections for the Chronic Pain I lived with each day and my cellphone rang-Daddy was calling to check on me-always being there for me!  Our conversation was simple "Heh Sister, hope everything goes good today."  We made some small talk and I told him "Daddy I love you and promise to come see you in a few days after I feel better from these shots!"

There was a pause on his end- "Well Sister- I hate to tell you this, but I think you are gonna be living with that old leg pain for the rest of your life."  Why was he telling me this?  I struggled to find words and
finally said  "Daddy, I bet you are right, and I will just have to learn how to deal with it!"  Little did I know my Dad would pass away late that evening, and God gave me a few minutes to tell him how very much I loved him, asking him to say hi to Moma for me and within a flash, he was gone.

This man gave me a lifetime of memories I shall cherish forever and I thank God for having him as my Dad.  Let us honor all Fathers around this world, those still waiting to feel the joy of holding their first child in their arms and especially the Fathers who have done their work here on Earth and are now in the loving arms of their Heavenly Father.

Thank you for allowing me to share my Dad with you.  God bless.  Martha