I have written often about my Dad in the pages of this blog. There is no question I think he stands out among men; the way he cares for my mother is unique even though he would believe it to be ordinary. The fact he thinks it ordinary is part of what makes it wonderful. The thing is…it is ordinary for him. To care for her completely is in character with who he is, and that is what I admire. He is a man of integrity and a man of compassion, and a man of strength. He is also a man of great humor and sharp intellect, and all these things wrapped together make him quite the amazing Dad.

He is of the generation that could do anything, and I still can’t imagine him facing a problem he couldn’t figure out. I think he inherited much of that from his Father, along with a deep love of the outdoors and of doing a job well.

 

He expanded on who his father was, though, and tempered it with great compassion and tenderness. He eased the perfection with expectations that pushed us as children but did not become impossible and taught us about faith.  He taught us to love animals and photography, and I always think of him when I meet a new dog (I inherited his ability to connect with animals) or when I take a decent photograph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has always been able to calm a baby, and now as my boys grow they love being around Grandpa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He gave me my place in history and taught me about his own history. Taught me that history matters.

He taught us that you can stand in the same spot as your great-uncles and learn something. Even just in recreating pictures.

He has taught me more than I can put into words, and I am thankful every day that he is my Dad. I admire him, I love him and always look forward to being around him.

The biggest compliment I could pay him? I married a man just like him.

A man who loves well, who acts with integrity and teaches the children that there are expectations that are difficult but not out of reach.

A man who can plan a party better than anybody, and who can enjoy Disneyland with the best of them.

A man who loves the outdoors and animals and sports, and yet who is tender toward babies and doesn’t mind carrying pink blankies.

 

Thankful this Father’s Day for a Dad who taught me what a Father should look like so I knew what to look for in a man. Thankful for a husband who walks it out daily and is displaying before three young men what a man of integrity, compassion, humor and faith looks like. Happy Father’s Day, Dad and Steve!