I want to start with a story. This is one of my favorite childhood memories. You see, I was a total Daddy's girl. There wasn't anything my dad wouldn't do for me. One night shortly before Christmas when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, we were out at the toy store. I saw a Cabbage Patch Kid named Janeva LeeAnn, and I just had to have her. I begged and pleaded with my dad to buy her for me, but he said that Christmas was coming, and I would get plenty then. I'm sure I left the store in tears. When we got home, my dad told my mom he had to run out for a bit. I knew exactly where he was going. He was going back to the store to get Janeva LeeAnn for me. I even wrote it in my diary. On Christmas morning after I opened that special gift from him, I was so excited to show my dad what I wrote in my diary. I just KNEW my dad wouldn't let me down.
He never let me down. He was always there for me. Every dance recital and every softball game, he was there. He took us on vacations every summer and rode all of the roller coasters with my brother and me. He always said yes when my mom said no.
My dad was always so proud of me. From the moment he held me in the hospital, he was proud. I lived my life to make him proud, too. When I thought I couldn't do something, if my dad wasn't around, I always imagined him there, cheering me on. I wanted to excel in school so I could see the pride in his eyes when he saw my report card. I wanted to hit that home run so I could hear him cheer me around the bases. When I was at basic training and got discouraged because I didn't think I could complete the run in the required time, I envisioned my dad at the finish line, ready to give me a high five. Guess what? Not only did I complete the run in the required time, I ran it fast enough to give me the points I needed to finish basic training as an honor grad. I did it all for him.
I think one of the proudest moments of his life was when he walked me down the aisle at my wedding. He had a smile from ear to ear. He once told me "whatever happens to me, I know you will be OK." He was proud of my career success, and the home and family I was building. I saw that smile again and again on the days my children were born. A few months ago he told me what a great mom I am, and that is all I needed to hear to know I was doing a good job.
My dad was a very considerate man. He was always willing to help others. He would loan the neighbors tools and help them fix things. He would help my mom's single friends buy cars and perform maintenance on them. If someone needed something, my dad was always there to help.
Not only was my dad a good dad to my brother and me, he also treated my husband like a son. They bonded quickly over their need for speed and fast cars. They spent time together going to car races. I would hear Brian talking on the phone and when he would hang up and I asked him who he was talking to, he would say "your dad". He would call just to talk to Brian sometimes. He was always willing to help us with things around the house, and often was upset that his disabilities prevented him from doing more.
My dad was the best grandfather ever! He loved my kids more than anything! He loved playing with them and watching them grow up. He loved listening to Rylie's songs, and enjoyed reading books to her. He couldn't wait for them to get older so he could do more with them. He was looking forward to taking them for rides in his fast car...he couldn't wait!
That is one of the hardest parts of all of this. My kids won't get to grow up with their Papa. Rylie will have faint memories of him, I'm sure, but Bryce won't remember him at all. My dad and Rylie had a bond that may have even been stronger than the bond we had. He would always tell my mom "if something happens to me, please don't ever let Rylie forget me." And we won't. We still talk about Papa all the time, and we will continue to do so. Rylie has an angel now.
For those of you that are fortunate enough to spend this Father's Day with your dads, give him an extra hug today. I would do anything to hug my dad just one more time.
Happy Father's Day Dad. I love you more than words can express, and I miss you terribly.
14 comments:
My grandparents adopted and raised me, it's been 3 years since my 'dad' (pop-pop) left us and it's hard knowing that my son may not remember him and that my daughter will never know him. But he lives on through me with the memories I can share with them, as I'm sure you have many memories to share with your children and the great man who will always be their grandfather!
Bless your heart, you got me in tears over here, we lost my father in law almost 4 years ago to cancer. Your daddy sounds just like him, he was more my dad, then my own dad, and when he got ill, it bugged him because his brain couldn't function right. Just remember your daddy is looking down over you and your babies right now. And they will forever have an angel looking out for them.
(((hugs)))
I think I would be crying too hard to get the words out… What a great way to remember you dad on this blog. He sounds wonderful.
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This is such a beautiful post. My dad passed away 10 years ago, long before my children came along, and whilst I'm torn that they never got to meet him I know he's looking after them in his own way.
Fathers day isn't the easiest of days to get through, but its amazing the healing power of children, their chubby smiley faces can't help but dry those tears and make you realise that your dad lives on through them.
Oh, LeeAnn, why must you make me cry? This is such a wonderfully written post and the perfect tribute to an amazing man. Your dad sounds like a pretty near perfect husband, father, grandfather, friend, and more and his memory will definitely always be around.
Big hugs this Father's Day to you.
What a sweet tribute to a great dad!Orangies Attic
this is honestly one of the most honest and beautiful things i've ever read on a blog. i can see why your dad was SO proud of you- and still is, i'm sure. ::huge hugs::
What beautiful words you've written. He sounds like he was an amazing dad. I'm also a daddy's girl and today I will hug him twice as hard and be thankful that he is here with me.
I'm in tears. . . Amazing post friend! What a lucky girl to have such an amazing Dad!!! xoxo
Ditto with tears from me. Your Dad was so easy to love and I know you will always miss him. This is such a beautiful post and he is looking down on you all. Love you my friend.
I love how you write about your Dad, LeeAnn. It's so clear what a special place he holds in your heart. He's still with you, he's alive in your memories and he'll always be a part of who you are. You are so fortunate to have had such a strong bond with your father.
What a beautiful post, I cried through the last half of it. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - your dad sounds like a wonderful wonderful man and I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you, LeeAnn.
That was a wonderful tribute to your dad! It brought tears to my eyes!
It is so great that you have a venue here in your blog to be able to write about him and all that he means to you. I am sure your nerves set in on the funeral day, but the fact that you wanted to get up and share the love for your fahter with others, it beautiful. I am smiling as I picture us, 20 years ago, playing with those Cabbage Patch dolls. You will always have a special place in your dad's heart as he will have in yours! Always keep him alive in your memory and through talking about him to the kids. This way they will always feel a bond with him too :)
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