A Love Letter to my Dad...

I learned today that my dads cancer is starting to get worse again. It has slowly been going down hill for awhile. Over Thanksgiving it got bad enough that he hasn't yet gone back to work. This troubles me much more than I am willing to type or explore, because I am am much better at burying my feelings than bearing them. Know that this is not an obituary, but a love letter to my dad. Honestly, we never know when we will be taken from this earth and I could be hit by a bus tomorrow (although probably not, since I am almost never around them). So...here we go.

I am thankful that two years ago, when you were in the hospital, that the Lord saw fit that you got to stay with us longer. We literally weren't sure you were going to make it out of the hospital alive, but you did. Not only that, but you have traveled, been on cruises, and most importantly to me, made it with no problem to our family reunion this summer.

I am thankful that my kids love you (even when you are a bit surly :) ) and that they know how fiercely you love them too. Have I mentioned that they want to move next to you. (Hey, it is actually getting affordable.)

I am thankful that you always were willing to have mom come and stay with me for 2 weeks after my babies came so that she could help me know what I was doing and take care of us. I know how much you hate not having her home, however you always let her go cheerfully.

I am thankful that you are such a great example of faith in the the gospel of Jesus Christ. You never wavered in front of us and I am forever grateful to you for that.

I am thankful that you were strict with us. Okay, you could have lightened up maybe a teensy bit. :) But as a parent, I now understand the weight and responsibility of teaching your children right from wrong.

I am thankful for your work ethic. You always have worked hard for what you believe in.

I am thankful for your sheepish grins, when you know that you are "in trouble". They are the sweetest things.

I am thankful for your devotion to your marriage. What a great example you are to us. I remember going shopping with you when I was a teenager/college student at OSH (a hardware store). There was an attractive looking woman in front of us in the checkout about your age (at the time) and I watched you to see if you would even notice her, like I had seen so many other men do. As she finished her transaction, the only acknowledgment you gave her was to see if she was moving out of the way. I was proud to be your daughter that day. It also taught me that the world was wrong when they said all men look. Now, I have that in my husband and am glad I waited for the right one.

I am grateful that you loved Mike from the first time that you talked to him over the phone. I remember you met me at the front door of the house when I got home from shopping with Mom and told me I had to call this guy named "Mike" back because he called. I rolled my eyes (I wasn't interested yet...silly me) and you were persistent until I called. I think you have liked all of your girls husbands right from the start. I guess you are a good judge of character. :)

I am grateful that you love to work with your hands and do it well. I know now that it is a talent and that not everyone is blessed with that.

I am grateful that you are my dad and that you love me just the way I am. Not that you can't or couldn't see what I could become, but you always loved me where I was too.

I love you dad. I don't talk to you on the phone as much as I do Mom. But, I do love all the same! My prayers are with you and will be fasting and praying for you this weekend.