Father's Day is today and while we have nothing extra special planned, I wanted to take a few minutes here to share how thankful I am for the Fathers in my life and in the lives of my children.
I found this poem from Helen Steiner Rice on Pinterest and I think it perfectly shares how I feel. While it seems mother's don't often get the praise and recognition they deserve, if I'm being truthfully honest, I don't think Father's do either.
When I read Helen's poem I couldn't help but think of all the Fathers in our lives and how this poem speaks to them. And so I thought I'd take a little bit of time to recognize and highlight a few of the many fathers we know and give praise to.
Jarrett~ I've always respected and admired you for many reasons. Your intelligence is remarkable, your kindness inspiring and your generosity to help others contagious. The list of reasons why I'm so thankful you are my soul mate could go on and on, but I can honestly tell you, watching you as a father is the most awe-inspiring of them all. I can see it in each of the kid's eyes; the way they look at you. The "I want to be like Dad when I grow up" glances Gabriel gives you as you show him how to throw the ball out of the park.
Or the mornings you spend with Michael building together, taking time out of your busy schedule to do something he enjoys, to learn together and to celebrate his unique interests. And Isabelle. I think its pretty clear from the shouts across the house, "DADDY!" as she goes running to see you when you come home at night.
Dad, the role you play in this family is bigger than I think you will ever realize. While I LOVE to see you everyday, there are some extra special days when I can't wait to see the whites of your eyes. You know the days, those "fun" ones when they have all been crazy all day and Mom just needs a break. Please note that I recognize your down moments are only when your head hits the pillow for the short nights we seem to have more often than we'd like. But you never complain and jump right in, grabbing Isabelle to play or engaging the boys in conversations about their day. Whether you realize it or not, those are just a few of the moments I praise God for you. In this crazy and oh so wonderful life we've created together, I can't help but be so grateful.
Who would have thought 18 years ago, when a 15-year-old girl fell in love with a 16-year-old boy, they'd have this story to tell their children. While its been a crazy journey, I can't wait for the rest of the ride. Thank you for being the most wonderful dad to our children. They are so lucky to have you as their dad.
Or the mornings you spend with Michael building together, taking time out of your busy schedule to do something he enjoys, to learn together and to celebrate his unique interests. And Isabelle. I think its pretty clear from the shouts across the house, "DADDY!" as she goes running to see you when you come home at night.
Dad, the role you play in this family is bigger than I think you will ever realize. While I LOVE to see you everyday, there are some extra special days when I can't wait to see the whites of your eyes. You know the days, those "fun" ones when they have all been crazy all day and Mom just needs a break. Please note that I recognize your down moments are only when your head hits the pillow for the short nights we seem to have more often than we'd like. But you never complain and jump right in, grabbing Isabelle to play or engaging the boys in conversations about their day. Whether you realize it or not, those are just a few of the moments I praise God for you. In this crazy and oh so wonderful life we've created together, I can't help but be so grateful.
To my Dad~
Dad, as I read the poem above I stopped at the part when it talked about a father's emotion.
Perhaps that is the reason, we sometimes get the notion; that Father's are not subject to the thing we call emotion. But if you look inside a dad's heart, where no one else can see; you'll find he's sentimental and as soft as he can be.
Dad, when I was little, I remember you working so hard to give us the life you thought we deserved that often times we didn't get to have those emotional talks. While it was and is completely okay, Mom did a fantastic job at solving my emotional girl problems, I want you to know, your soft side is not a secret to me. While you showed us the value and importance of hard work, Dad, you also showed us the importance of compassion for others.
I can't even count the number of things you and mom did to help others and to help us. While often times this meant sacrificing things for yourself, you did it willingly without complaint or second thought. As an adult now, I realize just how big of a gift your compassion is. Dad, while I will never be able to live up to the generosity and selflessness you model, I hope you know I strive everyday to be more like you.
And Dad, I want you know what a great grandpa you are.
To my partner's Dad Joe~
Papa Joe, as I think about Father's Day, and the many father figures we have in our lives, you are right at the top of our list. I can't help but thank you for teaching and guiding the love of my life to be the wonderful dad he is today. I know where he developed many of his wonderful fatherly qualities.
As the poem ends, "someone who can always be counted on to be on our side." You are the perfect example of that, helping us out so many times when it wasn't convenient at all for you. Never mind the sacrifices you had to make, you were right there to help. A million thank yous will never be enough to show you how much we appreciate it.
Papa, from the first time we've met, you've always shown complete kindness, sincerity and care for others. You've been a role model for working hard and teaching your children the value of quality and doing the right thing. What I see in Jarrett, I see in you and I can't thank you enough for sharing those special qualities with my children and me.
And Papa- where do I start when it comes to being the Papa to our children? You are the one and only person Isabelle pretends to call every time she plays with my phone.
And the boys. To Michael, you are the most talented builder in the entire world. You are able to create masterpieces with your hands and fix any problem there needs to be fixed. Michael aspires to be your apprentice.
Gabriel loves your stories of when you played baseball as a young boy once his age and is ever so thankful to have you and Nana at his games. Thank you for being so present in their lives.
And finally, my Grandfather~
Grandpa Ray- To be honest, I don't even know where to begin. And while I don't know where to begin, I'm very sure in knowing I don't ever want it to end. Some of my earliest childhood memories involve you.
I remember you walking me to preschool and telling me it was going to be okay, even though I was afraid to let go of your hand. I remember you reading me a story, the same story about the fat cat over and over and laughing each and every time, even though we both knew the ending and probably had the words memorized.
I still laugh about the time you and Grandma took me to Las Vegas and as we were going to Circus Circus we were almost ran down by rogue kangaroo. I bet you didn't know I could hold your leg so tightly. I remember you driving me to middle school, to high school and even taking me to college. When I look back at my life, I can't help but give thanks to God for you and Grandma.
In how I feel about my children's grandparents, I feel the same way about you. I can't help but think I won the lottery in the lottery of grandpas. Of the thousands of things you've taught me, perhaps I'll never be able to appropriately convey just how much I honor and respect you. When Tom Brokaw calls you one in the "Greatest Generation" he really knows what he's talking about. As a mother to two sons, I can't imagine the bravery you must have had in volunteering to go to service for our country in World War II. I have no idea how your mother didn't collapse from worry the entire time you were gone. I admire you and I thank you for risking your own safety in fighting for our freedom.
And boy am I thankful you came home and went on to create a picturesque life. For I've been able to share in many of those life moments and I look forward to as many many more as I can get.
As I tell you each and every morning and evening, I love you Grandpa.
I still laugh about the time you and Grandma took me to Las Vegas and as we were going to Circus Circus we were almost ran down by rogue kangaroo. I bet you didn't know I could hold your leg so tightly. I remember you driving me to middle school, to high school and even taking me to college. When I look back at my life, I can't help but give thanks to God for you and Grandma.
In how I feel about my children's grandparents, I feel the same way about you. I can't help but think I won the lottery in the lottery of grandpas. Of the thousands of things you've taught me, perhaps I'll never be able to appropriately convey just how much I honor and respect you. When Tom Brokaw calls you one in the "Greatest Generation" he really knows what he's talking about. As a mother to two sons, I can't imagine the bravery you must have had in volunteering to go to service for our country in World War II. I have no idea how your mother didn't collapse from worry the entire time you were gone. I admire you and I thank you for risking your own safety in fighting for our freedom.
And boy am I thankful you came home and went on to create a picturesque life. For I've been able to share in many of those life moments and I look forward to as many many more as I can get.
As I tell you each and every morning and evening, I love you Grandpa.
To all the fathers out there please remember:
To the world you are a DAD;
but to your family,
you are the WORLD!
you are the WORLD!
Happy Father's Day!
Until next time,
Angie
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