Today is Sunday, what a better day to celebrate dad's. Isnt funny that we for Mother's Day go all out and mom gets breakfast in bed, flowers, gifts, and pictures for Mother's days. Then we go to church and all lessons are about Mothers and the influence they have in the home and other places. They had our roses and candy, and the kids get draw pictures and make gifts. Then for the single women we talk about how we are promised to be Mothers, if not in this life then in the heaves. But for Fathers you may get a card and your favorite breakfast. Then you get to church you get a few talks and then its a regular day at church. No talks about Fathers and the influence they have in the home. Which in the world having a father in the home can be the difference between success and just getting by.
My dad is just an ordinary man, he worked hard his whole life. The reason he worked so hard was for his family. My mom worked hard so my parents could have things and do things and provide well for us girls. I never remember a time when dad told us he was to tired for us. I never remember a time when my dad told us to go away. He would lay his life down for us. Some of my good memories was that I used to try new recipes and Pineapple chicken. Well my family used to rate them as often we should have it to eat: this one was once in life time. But he took a bite and I can not remember if finished it. When I was about 5 I remember sitting on a screen in porch and we are playing games, Dad, Cindy, Tina, and myself. Mom must of been at work. When Cindy was alive, I remember honesty about her, as much as a child could handle. Another memory, I had spend the night at my cousins house, it was pouring rain and it was well after midnight. I told my uncle I wanted to go home. He at first told me that I could not call my parents. But I remember telling him I was going to call. I don't know why but I remember the intense urgency to go home and even today I as I remember that event I can remember the great desire to be home. Everyone told my dad would tell me to go to bed. But I called and I KNEW THEY WOULD COME!! Within 20 minutes of my phone call he knocked on the door. The rain was horrible that night. I remember it raining so hard that you could not see and it had made puddles so deep and big that you could not drive through them. I don't even think you could home the same way. But I knew I did not have to stay, I knew he would come and get me. I never had a doubt that he would not come.
During my addiction I remember calling him and he would always come. I remember being scared and thinking of him. After I got clean, I am so embarrassed by some of the horrible things I said to him. Thinking of him and mom driving around looking for me, in ditches and the city morgue. I remember the first time they told me that it felt like someone took my heart out and stepped on it. Then I remember seeing my dad the day was arrested and how I hurt him. The day I saw the vein on his head, It still scares me.....Then finally the day I walked out of jail and he was standing there. I had been there for 26 days and I was scare because I thought I was going to prison, and I was hungry, and I was cold. He was there, he fed me, cloth me, and loved me. Then when I went to court and we both thought I was going to prison. I know only thing that saved me I was living with them. Dad believed I could change and held that belief long after most people had given up on me. I am grateful that now because i do not remember alot about those years he is able to help me figure it out and not be angry about it. But more than that as we are figuring it out he does not try to make me feel horrible about it. He understands that I know I did horrible things and now I am trying to forgive the past. My dad has set the example of how the Atonement should be used in my life and knowing that I am forgiven for that. I love my Dad for always loving me. I love for being an example of what and how we are suppose to live our lives. I love him for loving our Heavenly Father and showing it in how he treats his family. I am grateful for a dad that is a Dad. I am grateful for the fact I know he prays for his family. My parents has taught us to be kind, loving, and charitable. They have set the example for the type of marriage I want: to laugh, play, and work as a couple. For that I am grateful. So Happy I will be in the eternities with him and my mom. I love you Dad!! Happy Father's Day!!
