The Amazing Men in my life!

So, now that I have passed my final exam for this term of school, I can reflect on Father's Day.

On Father's Day, I was, of course, thinking about my amazing Dad. He is not just my Dad but also my Hero, my Mentor, my Inspiration and my Friend. I know that if I am having an incredibly challenging day, week, month or year, he is one of the people I want to talk to and hear his advice. Dad will say something along the lines of, Here is what I think not that you have to do it that way. Usually, I end up doing exactly what he would! I often have people say to me that they don't know how I do all that I do--he is the reason why I know I can. My parents raised me to never think I couldn't accomplish anything I set my mind to do. They didn't just say it, they showed me by example. My Dad had a dream to fly from the time he was a young boy. He set his sights on it and did all he could to obtain it. After "washing out" of Air Force pilot training because of an illness, he didn't give up his dream---instead he became a navigator. A very trusted and well-liked navigator that pilots wanted in their cockpit. While flying for the Air Force, which many know, keeps you from home and family, he served in various church callings including years in Bishoprics, and was a very active Dad in his children's lives. I remember many times when I had a bad dream, was sick or couldn't sleep, that it was my Dad, with his classical music, soothing me. He might have been gone for weeks at at time but when he was home, he was home. My Dad adores my Mom and would do anything in the world for her. While she held the family together during his long absences, she knew when he was home, he was going to be there and be an active participant in our family life. Not many fathers were like that in the 1950's through the 1980's. It was through watching their relationship that I knew I wanted someone just like my Dad for my eternal companion. And I know I found one!

Eric is an amazing father! I love to watch his relationship with our kids. It is obvious that he adores his children and they in turn, love him. Many times, he will sacrifice sleep, career advancements and sometimes, to my concern, his health, to be with the kids. He loves to tease, joke and play around with the kids but they also know he will sit and have a serious discussion on any topic with them. I remember for years, my brothers, sisters and I would gather on my parents' bed late at night, sometimes together and sometimes just me, for talks. I love that our children have continued that tradition without evening knowing it. Eric learned how to be the incredible father he is from his Dad.

My father-in-law is also a very good father. He loves his children and was also a very active partipant in their lives. He may have been more comfortable sitting at a football game but he was there for Eric's piano recitals, jazz and orchestra concerts. An athlete, he could have forced Eric to play sports, but knew that Eric's interests and talents lie elsewhere, and supported him in his pursuits. My father-in-law is always thinking of others. From the very first of mine and Eric's courtship to 19 years later, he is always looking out for me. He makes sure there is something for his semi-vegetarian daughter-in-law to eat when he is cooking for the rest of the family. Now that we are in the same household, he often reminds me not to overdo it with my back.

This Father's Day, I found myself, thinking of some of the other fathers in my life. I watch my brothers in their role as fathers. None of us have perfect children and for some of us, our children have chosen different lives, but I watch the love my brothers have for their children and they remind me of my father. Dad may not agree with some of the choices we, his children, have made, he will lovingly reprimand us, but we know that even if we make a choice he doesn't agree with, he loves us. I hope my brothers' kids know they are fortunate to have them as their fathers. I was also looking at my neighbors and friends. We have some incredible fathers in our neighborhood. It is obvious to me that the children in my little piece of earth are well-loved.

So to all the amazing men in my life--Happy Father's Day not just one day but every day!