Happy Father's Day Dad

I recently found an essay I wrote for my freshman English class. I was asked to write about the greatest hero in my life, and I wrote about my dad.

I don't think I shared the sentiment of many 18-year-olds about their fathers. I have always adored my dad. I don't think he is perfect. No one is. But he is as close as perfect comes when it comes to being a dad. And, I think if more fathers made the sacrifices and daily choices in language, love and just plain being there for their children, we would live in a very different world.

Fatherhood is a choice. It is a choice from the very beginning - but it is also a daily choice. There are often lot of excuses that go along with it.

I am sure my dad, as a young man, would have rather done different things than raise 2 young girls on his own when he was 25. But he did it. He did it without excuses, without abuse, without so much as a cuss word; without any of the things that so often accompany parenting.

When someone raises you with patience, calmness, equality and love, there is nothing else but to feel gratitude for them. No, I was not always a perfect daughter. I wish I could say I was. But my dad always dealt with me with grace.

I am so proud of my dad.

He has recently started performing at a homeless shelter on Friday nights. I don't think there are too many people like my dad. He is an extremely hard worker, putting in many, many hours every week at his regular job. But on top of that, he helps out at church, with my kids, and devotes countless hours to his music. It is so touching to me that he would give up his Friday nights to lift the spirits of those less fortunate. And he does it in a way that is so touching. His wife recently told me that he did not think they would relate to as many of his uplifting Christian songs, so he started writing more blues songs just to sing there. He doesn't just perform his leftovers or whatever is easiest for him. He thinks about what they need.

He played a new blues song for me on Thursday night that was just amazing.

God bless his heart and his spirit. The older I get, the more I appreciate my dad and what a wonderful father he was and is to me.

The greatest gift you can give to your children is being there for them. My dad was always there for me, consistently, on-time and with love.

Thank you dad.