A Man Called Daddy

"Any fool can be a Father, but it takes a real man to be a Daddy!!"
 - Philip Whitmore Sr

Yesterday was Father's Day. I don't know how anyone else spent it, but I spent it honoring one dad and remembering another.

My boys have a wonderful father! DH is everything a man could hope to be in a dad, and he deserved and got a special day. But my mind kept wandering.

My Daddy at my wedding in 1997

My dad isn't with me anymore because three years ago God called him home. I've worked through much of the grief and think of him with a smile most days. But Father's Day is the hardest day of all.

"If he were still here, what would I have gotten him as a gift? What would we have talked about on the phone (we didn't normally get to spend Father's Day together since I live pretty far away)?"

As we spend the day making DH feel special, my mind can't help but think about the other great dad in my life. I'm going to use this post to introduce you to my dad.

My daddy was larger than life. He was big in stature (6'1" and very muscular). He was big in voice (he could sing the roof off a building). He was big in personality (he owned a room the second he walked in). He was big in heart (he would do anything for anyone in need). As a little girl, I knew my daddy could protect me from anything that could happen - except for snakes. For some reason, I was convinced he couldn't help there.

He taught me to ride a bike and picked me up when I fell.

He taught me to drive - not either one of our finest moments :-)

Daddy taught me how to cut the grass. He said every girl needs to be able to cut her own grass.

He taught me to speak the truth in love.

He taught me how to put people at ease.

He taught me generosity.

He taught me how to pump gas.

He convinced me that I was special - just the way God made me. I didn't need to be like anyone else to be good enough. Being me was all that was necessary.

Daddy and Me a few years back

Daddy taught me about faith. When I rely on God, He will never fail me or let me down. Times will get hard, but I will never be alone.

Daddy taught me what to look for in a man. He completely approved of DH (after he proved to Daddy that he wasn't a Yankee; that would have been way too much for my Southern Daddy to cope with). Daddy saw DH as a son and loved him fiercely.

My Daddy was taken from me much sooner than I would have liked. My boys didn't get enough time with him. Neither did I.

But he left a legacy. He taught me so much and showed me what a dad should be. He showed me a real example of a man who loved his family and his God.

As I watch my boys grow up, I'm so thankful for the two examples God has given them to follow - my Daddy, who lives on in my memories and their hearts, and their own dad, who is exceeding all my hopes and dreams.