Happy Birthday, Dad

When I was in junior high, I remember my Sunday School teachers talking about the love of God, our Father, being so much better than our earthly fathers (which I know is a hard connection for some people to make). But they used the illustration of a child being so excited when Daddy comes home from work at dinner time (stereotypical, I know) that the child runs and jumps into Daddy's arms. So I don't remember making this response, but I probably did. My Dad loves to tell the story that the nice couple reported to my dad that after they used this illustration, I raised my hand and admitted, "I still do that"! Honestly, I probably did because I was such a daddy's girl...but I'm not really sure I would've admitted it in front of all my teenaged friends!

Here is a saying that I stole from a Hallmark Father's Day card I gave my dad a while back; I guess I knew I could reuse it at some point:

Because her father listened to her, she knew she had something to say.

Because he believed in her, she believed in herself.

Because he said she could do anything, she did

Now, don't get me wrong - my dad and I still argued at times, we didn't always see eye-to-eye, etc., but so much of who I am today is a result of my dad's guidance and willingness to be the kind of dad I needed. I could say so much more, but truly, I'm just thankful to have had my dad and that I still DO have my dad in my life!

In honor of my wonderful (and shameless father), I thought I'd post just a few pictures that show his great personality. They're actually both at family reunions, one where we have an annual auction (of junk, basically); and the other one where we can never get away without having some good gospel music first!





Love you, Dad!