Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is an important day to celebrate.  My Dad is a wonderful man.  I often tell him that whatever I accomplish in life it will be because of something he taught me.  Of course, I feel by mother that way as well....but for different reasons. 


Pick ten of your favorite blogs or sites and read over the reasons they give for why they appreciate fathers.  You'll probably find things like dependability, strength, sportsmanship, love of nature.....All wonderful traits, but about the same for everyone.  Some people feel like Dad is just in the household for the fun element and to pay for everything.  "Dad's just wanna have fun..." or something like that.  But...if Dad's don't offer anything to their children in the way of guidance, what's the difference in them and an absent father?

My Dad is an unique man and has a full and varied resume.  A minister for over 60 years, he's also been a missionary pilot, subcontractor, missionary around the world, author, painter, musician and the list goes on and on.  In the above picture he was on a worldwide missionary trip and was standing by a mine field in North Korea.  No, he wasn't the kind of missionary that stays in swanky hotels in the protection of the city.  He road elephants through jungles and preached in some of the most remote places in the world.

People often ask me what made him a great Father.  I think a great father is someone that is "pleasingly" different from mom.  Not opposites or fueding wills, but enough so a child gets to see two sides to every situation. 

For example, Mom was all about feelings and emotions.  She could look at a person across a crowded restaurant, approach them by saying something like - "Are you okay?" and within a few minutes she knew their personal history, all they were going through and would often end her conversation with a prayer.  Wow!  She was the same with me.  She always seemed to pay enough attention to my body language that she knew what was going on in my life.  No way to hide anything from her. 

Dad could sort of do that....but not to the same extent or for the same reasons.  He was more concerned about the mind and the inner heart.  He would feel bad if I was sad, but instead of being emotional, he would find a helpful book or would delve into all the why's about the situation.  He's one of the reasons I can be a Mommy Detective.  He taught me to look at life and figure it out.

Between them I was given a great education about life.  I knew how important it was to show emotion, to love deeply, to care about others feelings and to wrap my arms around them in support.  I also knew how important it was to study hard, to search for answers and to ask those bold questions.  I knew how to dig for the deeper meanings and how to end all that learning with another hug for support. 

The best part was when their talents overlapped.  When Dad spent two hours crying with me and letting me know he was concerned about my problems or when Mom spent an hour searching the scriptures to find just the right one I needed for a lesson.  It gave me hope that I could take the good from each parent and make my life the best it could be.

Perhaps as we end this wonderful Father's day, douse the last embers of the campfire and close the bag of marshmellows with a rubber band - we should ponder this question....

As a Dad, what is my personal life teaching my child?  What will they remember about me that helps them become a better person? 

Thanks Dad for all you taught me.  I'm a better person because of you.

I love you,

Debbie