My Dad, My Hero

My dad has always had a special connection with kids and animals. All the kids wanted him to be their dad and the animals always wanted to follow him home.

I was "Daddy's little princess". I remember him saying those exact words as he carried a very sleepy little girl to her bed late one night. He had come home in the middle of the night, which was usually the case, and I was asleep in the bed with Mom.

I thought my dad was perfect. Don't most little girls hero-worship their dads? As a very small child, younger than 5, when my dad was home he would sing me to sleep. He would sing "Daddy Big Boots" to me and I would drift off to sleep with the song in my head. Nearly 40 years later, I remember every word.

I was born June 21st, 1964. This was Father's Day in the United States that year. At 10:07 AM, I became my dad's first Father's Day present.

Every few years, my birthday and Father's Day coincide again and we can share them together. It is always special for me. My dad is an amazing man.

It is during these times that I have him tell the outrageous stories to my son that he used to tell me when I was a kid. Now, some of these stories may actually sound horrifying to tell a child, but you'd have to see my dad's face and hear his voice as he told them.

My favorite was always how he was on a ship and he fell overboard, or was made to walk the plank, or jumped ship for a swim in the ocean - whichever version suited him at the moment - and while he was swimming to shore the sharks bit his legs off. By the time he got to shore, they had grown back. Now, I ask you, as a child, wouldn't you believe your dad was Superman?

Source: proclamationpictures.blogspot.com via Holley on Pinterest

I submit to you a candid picture that was caught completely unrehearsed at my wedding. I had just come down the long staircase and Dad was waiting for me, to reluctantly give me away

This handsome man is my father, Richard, and I am so proud of him.

My parents have been involved in the Masonic Lodge, the Eastern Star, and Amaranth for years. Aren't they a lovely couple?

In August this year they will celebrate another year of marriage making the total 49 on 2012. I don't know many marriages that have lasted that long. They've come a long way, baby!

When my son, Christopher was born, the last thing dad wanted to be called was "Pawpaw". I've never known his choice of names because as soon as Chris spoke it for the first time, that was it. He was Pawpaw.

When Chris was a baby and we would get ready to leave and go home from my parents, he would cry and scream that he wanted his pawpaw! He would wrap his arms around Dad's neck and wasn't letting go.

Even now that Chris is a nearly 20 year old man, Pawpaw is still his favorite person in the world. His favorite thing to say is "Pawpaw Rocks!"

I hope you've enjoyed reading this. As you can see, I had a wonderful childhood.

Like most, the teenage years were a roller coaster ride, but that was usually brought on by the teenager and not the parent.

Dad, I love you!