Father's Day

I had been hoping to get to video Skype with my family today, but circumstances have changed and I won’t be able to do so. I plan to call and talk by phone, though. This is not the first Father’s Day I haven’t been with my dad, but as far as I can recall, it is the farthest I have been from him on this day. That being so, I’d like to write a few words about my dad. 

Being as he’s not the most talkative person in the world, it can be a little difficult to know him well, or understand what he’s thinking. I’ve had a conversation continue after a 20 minute pause...I had thought the conversation was over. But he had just been thinking. He often likes to think over his words carefully, especially in a deep discussion. But he can be quite talkative at times as well. Many of you know my dry sense of humor...well, I get it all from my dad. Things like “it’s like the sun, it will finally dawn on you,” or “when is a door not a door? When it’s ajar,” or when you have two different socks on “I bet you’ve got another pair just like it at home.” Get him into a game of Scattergories and he’ll try to reason his way into getting everyone to accept his sometimes outlandish entries. 

There were things I learned about my dad I never knew until he had grandchildren. He would say they “are the berries”, because they’re so sweet. He’s always liked holding babies, but let him hold one of his grandchildren, and you’re lucky to get him/her back unless the baby is crying, needs to be fed, or needs a diaper change. 

He gives hugs and kisses, but they aren’t his main mode of showing he cares. He mainly shows his love through providing for his family. I remember coming home from college and he’d give me a little extra money before I left to go back after the weekend. He still did the same in medical school, and I think occasionally in residency as well. He’s helped me buy my cars (ok, maybe more than just helped), and helped me in the process of buying and selling my house. It’s in these small ways that I know he loves me. 

In addition, I can tell he’s proud of me. He’s told me how he’s bragged to his clients about me. He tells me he’s proud of me. I know he likes to spend time with me. When I’m home to visit, we’ll sometimes try to plan a time just for the two of us to go see a movie or have dinner. Sometimes with my sisters and my mom around, he doesn’t get a word in edgewise, so we make time that we can spend together. 

I think one of the hardest things about leaving home, was leaving my family behind. Seeing my dad cry at the airport broke my heart. I could see how hard it was for him to let his little girl go so far away, even though he knew God had called her there. I know he still worries about me, as from time to time he calls or texts just to find out if I’m okay, or just to hear my voice. 

All this to say, “Thanks dad, for all you’ve done for me, for loving me, and providing for me. I love you too.”