My Dad

Father's Day has come and gone and I didn't get a chance to post a message about my Dad. I really am one lucky girl to have such a great Dad. Here's what I love about him:

He taught me to finish things. Dad is a doer. He always has a list of projects that have to be done. We all know that he isn't happy unless he has something to start or finish!

Dad always made me feel special by taking me to lunch. I can't count how many times I was able to eat lunch with my Dad whether it was at work or some other special occasion. He always paid and we just had fun talking. Dad was a good listener as well as a good talker. He still takes me to lunch when we get together.

My Dad is a super-duper handy man. I remember helping my Dad fix things around the house. I helped finish a basement and an upstairs playroom with him. I would hold the paneling so it wouldn't move while he was cutting it. He always made me feel so important and needed for him to get the job done. He taught me how to fix leaky faucets, change light fixtures, cut trim, oil doors, and many other things. Thanks for teaching me how to work. I'm the handyman in my house now. When something needs to be fixed I can figure it out. Sometimes I even ask my Dad for fixing advice now over the phone.

Dad taught me the value of education. I didn't always get the best of grades, but I knew that school was important and getting a higher education was not optional. Somehow he instilled in me the desire to finish college. It was just the next step after high school. I never questioned if I would get my degree or not.

Dad took care of my cars. He made sure the tires were inflated to the right amount and safe. He made sure my oil was changed and it the car tuned up on schedule. He even made sure my windshield wiper fluid was full. And every once in a while he would surprise me with a full tank of gas!

My Dad likes to eat rolls with his butter. There's a family joke in our house about a time when Dad was putting huge pats of butter on his roll. The butter was hard and he couldn't spread it so he just placed chunks on his roll. We called him on it and he just said, "What?!? The kids just laugh and have told that story so many times.

Dad taught us to appreciate music and singing. Even as a very small girl I remember listening to him sing in his cool quartet. He had a little group that would come to our house and practice. It was so fun to sit and listen to the beautiful harmonies that they could create. I loved watching my Dad perform at church functions. He always looked like he was having so much fun. What a treat to be able to see my Dad perform with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The kids loved trying to find him on tv during the Spoken Word program on Sundays. My children definitely have an appreciation for all kinds of music because of the music my Dad has shared with them. Just yesterday we were listening the Elijah Rock on the Tab CD while we were cleaning the kitchen. How many kids do that?

Dad has always been committed to the gospel. He has always set such a great example of one who loves the Lord and knows the church is true. He's not a perfect dude, but I think he's pretty awesome. Going on a mission with Mom really set the bar high for the rest of us and gave us some more experiences to build our testimonies on. I loved going to Palmyra and listening to Dad tell us some of the ins and outs of the sacred places.

These are just a few of the great things I love about my Dad and have learned from him over the years. I am thankful to be his daughter and thankful to have such an amazing Dad. I love you, Dad.