Today is my dad's birthday. I admire & love SO MANY things about him...too many to list...but here are a few of my favorites...
- He is one of the most generous people I know...he has always set a beautiful example of living under your means so that you can give to those who need it more.
- He passed on his love for running to me. I still remember him running by my side in my first races back in elementary school, encouraging & teaching me along the way.
- He makes some darn good cream of tuna...the dinner we knew we were getting if Mom was out of town.
- He sets a steadfast example of a man who is fully devoted to his wife & family.
- It's difficult to find a thriftier man...he once drove a car until the floor started to wear out & he could see the road under his feet...he wears the same sweaters & slippers until they have holes in them (even though we give him new ones for Christmas every year)...he has perfected a system for efficiently heating & cooling the house while hardly needing to turn the A/C or heat on...the souvenirs he used to purchase on our family trips consisted of t-shirts from local thrift stores (or new t-shirts for under $5)...
- He can only play one song on the piano, but boy does he plan it with passion! I still remember getting excited when I would hear the tune start as a kid.
- He has always made me believe I can go for anything & succeed...& I know he's there supporting me every step of the way.
- He used to tell us the best bedtime stories before we went to sleep in the back of the suburban on the long road trips to Minneosta.
- He is a highly ethical & savvy business-man & one of the hardest workers I know....but also one of the most humble. He served as the CFO for the Special Olympics World Winter Games & refused to have his name engraved on the final plaque with the other board members unless they agreed to engrave the names of all his employees & volunteers too...they didn't agree...& his name isn't on it.
- I have never once doubted his love for me...I don't think he's ever ended a conversation or hung up the phone without telling me that he loves me first.
- He is an incredible grandfather & Deagan & Sienna just light up when they see their "Papa"...they've got him wrapped around their little fingers.
- He has enabled me to see & experience so many places & cultures through trips to the Grand Canyon, New York, Disneyword, countless national parks, Mexico, Europe, etc.
- He has faithfully eaten two bananas with oatmeal every morning & 4-5 carrots before dinner every night for as long as I can remember. The carrots have given him a nice orange-ish tint...kind of like a year-round suntan.
- He made it possible for me to get an education from the college of my choice &, even better, leave with no debt...I've realized more & more what an incredible gift that was/is!
- I have such a sweet sense of God's fatherly love because of the grace-filled love he has given me since the day I was born.
I am so grateful for such a loving, passionate, energetic, fun & supportive father. I love you, Dad!
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4 comments:
I just finished reading your incredible list...and feel so blessed. Abbey, what an amazing father you have...as I read the list I see SO much of him in YOU! Bruce, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are all so blessed to know you...and thank you for raising such an incredible daughter who is an immeasurable blessing to all who know her=) Marla
What a beautiful post, Ab! Made me tear up :)
Happy Belated bday to Bruce. I often think of your dad whenever I bite into a "real" carrot because I remember seeing him eat them often at your house. What nice tribute, Abbey.
What a beautiful tribute to your father. He has always reminded me of such "gentleman-ness". Way to go Abbey...best thing a parent could ask for, to be honored the way you just honored him.
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