In so many ways, I am so lucky my dad is, well, my dad. He’s been a rock for all of us. He worked hard all of our younger years and now that he’s retired, he seems to work harder than ever. He moved out to California about eight years ago, to live at a lower altitude. But every few years he comes back to visit. A few weeks ago, I was blessed to go out and see him and celebrate his 80th birthday with him and our family. We also celebrated my moms 75th. My sister’s 55th and my son’s 30th (even though my son couldn’t be there). And we celebrated my niece’s and nephew’s graduation from high school. It was a beautiful whirlwind trip and we enjoyed every moment of chaos, with family.
For my dad’s birthday, he was baptized. That’s how he spent the day. Then, he went home and had a nice dinner with his sweetheart. He told me a little about his church, out there. It’s outdoors (way cool). The ministry is focused on homelessness and addiction, neither of which applies to my dad. But he loves the pastor and the congregation. He feels at home there. Growing up, my dad went to church on Easter and Christmas. That was pretty much it, except special occasions. I am so proud of him for the journey he is on. I hope he finds as much support as I have found off and on for decades at our “little brown church in the woods.” Dad, I hope you have an amazing Father’s Day. You deserve it!
The celebration of Father’s Day also reminds me of the three other men in my life that have been part of the journey of having and raising kids. To my ex-husband Thayne, thanks for making awesome kids with me and for being an amazing dad. Thanks for always being available to talk about the kids (then and now). And for grabbing a random beer and chatting when the topic was too big for a phone call. Thanks for guiding the younger kids that aren’t yours, cuz family is family.
To my ex-husband Matt. Thanks for giving me the other awesome kids. And for being part of their lives when they were younger. And for working towards building relationships now, when they’re older.
And to my husband, Doug, you are a hero in my eyes. Not only have you raised your own kids, you’ve been part of raising all of mine in some way. You’ve been a shoulder to cry on, a helper, a guide, you have been incredible at making sure all of the kids had music. You have made sure we had a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and food in the fridge for growing strong kids. And you’ve helped with all of our cars and trucks and things that constantly need moved about or fixed. You stepped into a role that you did not have to and you met it with kindness and compassion.
Anyways, that’s what is going through my mind tonight, on deadline night.
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