This year, we happen to truly, accidentally, be gone on vacation over Father's Day! Oops!! We never have much money to spend on our father's for the simple fact that there are four of them! So we normally get them something small and call it good. This year the Lord put it on my heart to do something special for my father. I had already ordered gifts and am keeping my fingers crossed that they get here before we leave for Mackinac Island (my heaven on earth)! I racked my brain trying to think of what this man who has everything could possibly want or need that would be meaningful! I had nothing. God told me to write a letter to my dad to tell him how he has impacted my life. I started writing and before I knew it I was done writing and I had to reread what I wrote because I didn't really even realize I had written anything. I believe this handwritten letter from a daughter to her father will be a treasured gift for my dad. You see, I am an introvert. This means for me to express how I feel out loud to someone is so far fetched that even my big eared dog wouldn't believe it if it happened (no really her ears are huge see bottom for a picture just to prove that I'm truthful). God helped me to get my words down on paper which is a huge step out of the normal for me. I decided to share the letter with you because these words are heartfelt and true. I hope that you will find encouragement in it. Here's my letter:
Dad,
On this Father's Day I've had time to stop my fast paced world of feeding, giving baths, cleaning, kissing boo boos amongst many other things, and take a look back.
I decided to write you and tell you just how much you mean to me and the impact you've had on my life.
Back when I wanted to move in with you I felt extremely lonely and unloved. In the years after I moved, you showed me time and time again that I wasn't unloveable. You are a walking, breathing model of unconditional love. Even though there were many times I'm sure you shook your head and thought "what in the world am I doing this for!". You always showed the love I'd been lacking for so many years.
You showed me what stability was and the importance of hard work.
You consistently provided for me above and beyond my needs, giving me all I could want.
You always had my best interest in mind and always let me know how you felt even when you knew I'd roll my eyes or just walk away.
You instilled in me honesty and integrity. You taught me to stand up for what I believe and to always do what's right. You instilled great morals and showed me through your consistent love that family should be valued.
Today, I look back and see you in myself, and there's a gratefulness in me. I remember those times we talked and the times and subjects you probably didn't want to talk about but those uncomfortable moments impacted the way I live my life and how I am raising my own daughters. Those times showed me that I had value to you and it gave me a great confidence to move on and push through hard times as an adult.
So back to all those times you thought to yourself: "what am I doing this for?" or "Is it worth it?". The answer is you were raising a daughter with love, patience and kindness. With a firm but gentle hand and yes, it was worth it because without you, I wouldn't be me.
Thank you for being more than a father to me.
Thank you for being my Dad.
Happy Father's Day
This is a verse that really reminds me of who my dad is:
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Proverbs 17:27
 |
| Dad and I at my wedding! |
 |
| Dad and I at my wedding!! |
 |
| Dad and Ellie Rose! |
 |
| Dad and Elizabeth at her preschool graduation! |
 |
| My Dad and I while I was going through chemo before my hair loss he let me dye my hair bright blue! |
 |
| Dad, my brother, and I! |
 |
| Dad and I! |
 |
| Told you she had big ears!!! |
No comments:
Post a Comment