My Dad

I meant to post on his birthday last week, but it just never happened. A week later still counts, right? My dad is currently working in Nigeria, Africa. His home base is in Houston and when he comes to Texas, we are close enough that we get to see him. He loves being a grandpa and has the same enthusiasm that he did when I was a kid. Here are some reasons I love my dad:

1. When I was growing up and even now, he has continuously told me how much he loves me. Would often write me letters emphasizing qualities that he admired in me. Growing up as the only girl, I felt like a princess to him. Through my human development studies, and the more I learn about women and their identity struggles, I see how important this was/is. I am often telling Michael how I think that how my dad treated me has a direct correlation with my self esteem. I don't have too many issues with myself, and I realize that many women do. (Not saying that you didn't have a great father figure if you have issues with yourself). I encourage Michael to do the same with our daughter. The male example that we have in our lives growing up teaches us what type of man to look for in a spouse. Needless to say, early on, some of Michael's qualities reminded me of my dad.

2. I remember him singing fast paced lymerics on road trips that I still love hearing to this day "A barefoot boy with shoes on came walking down the street, his hands were full of pockets and his shoes were full of feet..." I want to get him singing these on tape so I can better learn the lyrics and teach my kids. Another one we sang is one we now do in our fam...each line is repeated by the group: "Everywhere we go..." repeat "People want to know..." repeat "Who we are" repeat "so we tell them" repeat "We are the Dukes" repeat "Mighty Mighty Dukes" repeate "We go to the park"(or wherever you are going)

3. For his company growing up, there was a 5K race that we would compete in each year. It was called, Beat the Boss. I'm not sure how it happened, but he ended up running it next to me each time. Was it because my brothers were ahead of me in the race or not running it, I'm not sure. It annoyed me at the time that he kept whispering in my ear, "Don't slow down...Keep going" "Look at that kid up ahead, make a plan to pass them" I probably would have walked it if he weren't next to me (as I do sometimes now) but he kept urging me to keep going.

4. I loved visiting his office growing up. I remember in New Orleans, he was up high in a building downtown and in his desk drawer was always peanuts. I'd dig into his stash upon visits. I also liked to put my face on the copy machine and make copies.

5. I got my "question asking" skills from him. He has always been interested in people, and I think I got some of that from him. Just watching him interact with people throughout the years, I learned the importance of the individual.

6. He adores my children and loves to call now just to hear my kids voices. He wants to hear stories, which I can't always come up with (I tell him to check the blog) but he is just interested in our daily lives. He also volunteers to change diapers b/c he knows it will ease a burden for me.

7. Having a testimony of the Savior has always been evident in his life. He delights in serving in the church and helping people.

8. He's a writer. Published several books both for work and church. Written articles that have been published in church magazines. He belives in working hard and playing hard.

9. He has recently taken his health very seriously and has changed his nightly ice cream habit in order to slim down. He wants to be around for his great great grandchildren.

10. He is always improving his mind...regularly checking stacks of books out from the library on various religions, cultures, people in order to better understand the world and people.

I took this of he and Alyssa a few months ago and it is one of my current favorites.

I love you, dad, you are the best!