For My Dad On Father's Day

Dad~

Happy Father's Day. This is a day to honor you and your role as dad in my life. There are many things I want to thank you for today...

~Thank you for how you loved mom. You showed me what marriage should look like, and gave me incredibly high standards when it came to choosing who I would marry.

~You chose to have 9 children, when you could have chosen a life that left more room (and money) for hobbies and toys. You gave me the gift of siblings, a gift that blesses me every day.

~You modeled a life of trust- trusting God to provide. You taught me that God is our source, and He will not fail us.

~You somehow saved enough to take us on great vacations. I remember going to Maine, climbing Mt. Washington, going on the Songa River Queen. How did you do it? I don't know- but thank you for making the sacrifice to make that a part of our childhood.

~You took us with you when we were little- on errands (to Checkers, if I am remembering correctly?), on dates. I can't remember most of this, but the times you and mom have talked about this make me realize that you loved me and wanted me with you. A large family was not a burden to you.

~You told us Jessie, Jenny and Judy stories, along with Bumpkin, Fritz and Yogi stories. Getting too close to the mud puddle and slow obedience is no obedience- life lessons I learned through your stories.

~You are a writer, and passed that trait down to so many of us. It is a part of your legacy, dad.

~You modeled a love for Scripture, a dependence and trust for the word. I remember stories of your college days, when you carried flashcards of memory verses with you. I love the word, and that, too, is a part of your legacy.

So, Happy Father's Day, dad. I am thankful to be your daughter, thankful for the many memories you have given me and what you passed down to me that I can pass on to my children.

Much love~
Charity