So today would have been my Dad's 79
th Birthday! Kind of a hard day :( BUT -- having the knowledge of the gospel makes it a better day :) I am so grateful to have been raised by such a loving and dedicated father. He was so supportive of everything we did. I am so grateful for all the amazing memories that I have with him. The fun trips...and the years after college when I was living with home and just
chillin with him and my mom. I will always cherish those few years of precious quality time. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have that I will be with him again one day. I know that he watches over us, and will help guide our lives so that we can return and live all together with our Heavenly Father some day. I'm so grateful for a strong and loving and
courageous mom who continues to lead our family with such love, faith, and strength. I don't know what I would do without her. I just pray that the Lord will watch over her, and all of us, this next month. We miss him so much...some days are better than others, but as we come upon the anniversary of losing him -- I am reminded of how blessed we were to have him as our father, and I know that I just need to hold to that. And just smile and remember all the funny memories of my dad. To list a few:
- Big Gulps
- Diet Coke
- Nacho's built 12 inches high from 7/11
- Being "Santa's helper" each season and how his voice got really high when he talked to kids -- and didn't sound like Santa at all -- and mom would try to tell him to not talk in such a high voice.
- Cover me where I fall
- How loud his voice would get when "discussing" things
- Dad's Philosophy of how you could get ahead a $1 by eating at Burger King w/ the coupon on the back of the receipt -- you know what i am talking about ;)
- His Wayne Shirt
- His supernatural ability to fall dead asleep in the middle of a conversation, but then pipe in whenever he wanted to -- like he had heard the whole conversation and was never actually asleep.
- Him and mom traipsing all around Disneyland with the family until he basically couldnt walk
- Mom and dad traveling the world
- Always putting his kids first....
The List could go on and on :) I am so grateful to have had such a fun and loving father to help guide me through the early parts of my life. I will miss him always, but am grateful that I can still feel of his
4 comments:
Shandra, I got a little emotional reading your post. Daddy/Daughter relationships are so wonderful, I wouldn't be as strong as you have been if I lost my own father. I admire you so much for that, because I know it isn't easy for you. I'm grateful for the wonderful perspective the Gospel gives us in terms of families being together FOREVER!
P.S., we're going to Rodizio's to celebrate Gustavo's b-day tomorrow! COME! He really likes you guys.
Your dad is a great man! I have many fond memories of him from school. He was always so happy {and positive} and would sneak me a signature when I'd forgotten one for my FMX!! HAHA. Great day to remember a great man
we are lucky to have the gospel in our lives to make days like today bearable. We can remember all the wonderful things about our family members we've lost in this life, in knowing we will someday be together again.
love ya! and miss you too. It's time for a reunion, i think :)
found you! Such a sweet remembrance of your dad... I can tell how great of a man he was just by knowing you..
Ah, I just read this post...I know I'm a little behind! But thanks for this sweet post Shammy, it brought tears and laughter! Gramps is a great man and we're so blessed to be able to see him again! And we're so blessed to have grandma and her kind spirit! It was fun reviewing these great memories! Miss you!
-McKenzie
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