My Dad

Father's Day is always a hard day for me. My dad passed away Jan. 14, 1997. I have gone through 10 Father's Day's without him! It is never easy.

I was a Daddy's girl early on! Then my dad and I went through some real rocky times when I was a teenager, I was such a California girl/rebel and he had been raised in a very strict mid-western family that we often clashed! But, as I got older we got pretty close again. I knew without a doubt (although he rarely told me) that he loved me. After Carsen was born I saw a side of my dad that I never thought I'd see. He loved his first grandchild so much! He loved being "Papa" to her, my nephew who is 6 weeks younger then Carsen and to Shane.

The hurt I feel when I miss my father is so much easier to bear knowing that I will see him again! My dad became a Christian when he was young but turned his back on his faith for many years. On Christmas eve 1996 (just a few weeks before he died) my father stood next to me in church and recommited his life to Christ. He never said anything to anyone about it, but I knew! I witnessed the Spirit come over my father and watched as he cried tears of joy! I sight I had never seen before and will remember for the rest of my life!

Dad, I love you and miss you more then you can imagine. I know you are in Heaven preparing a place for all of us. I'm sorry that during your time here on earth you did not get the chance to meet all your grandkids, but I'm certain you will someday!! And you are going to love everyone of them! I love you, Daddy!!