This one's for you, Dad
Jun. 14, 2010 1:18 pm
Updated: Jun. 29, 2010 8:55 am
So next Sunday is Father's Day. I've been a Daddy's girl since, well..... since forever! I'm the second of four kids, 3 girls and a boy. I know my parents love all of us - equally. But, it's always been said by my siblings and myself - Daddy loves
me best. That's not really true, I think he just has that ability to make each and everyone of his kids and grandkids feel special and No. 1 to him.Â
My dad has always been there for me - always. We both worked for the same school system so I saw him every day until he retired. When my husband and mine's first dog, a beautiful golden retriever named Goldie, died at the age of 13-1/2 I wasn't sure I could
go to work I was so distraught. I'm the one who found her dead in the morning as I was leaving for work. I drove to work but then headed straight to my Dad's building. As soon as I walked in he knew something was wrong and made the call to let my boss know
I'd be a little late. He comforted me and sent me on my way. I could write for hours of everything he's ever done for me.
When I was graduating from business college my dad was in the hospital recovering from back surgery. He called the place graduation was being held and had them call me to the phone so he could congratulate me on that very special day. That was the first time
my dad was ever even sick in my life, so it was a big thing that he wasn't there.
In fact, other than that time, there have only been two other times my dad was down. About 12 years ago he had a heart attack and was life flighted. He survived that and was back in good health quite quickly. Then, in 2005 he had another heart attack. This
time he was in the hospital having an angioplasty done when he went in to full cardiac arrest and his heart stopped. They went immediately into surgery and he had a double bypass. That was the worst night of my life! I cried the entire night - so sure my
phone was going to ring and they were going to say he did not make it.  Thankfully, the next morning when we walked into his room - there he was sitting up trying to eat breakfast! I "moved back home" for a week to help my parents when he was released from
the hospital. My mother had just had a surgery and needed help as well.Â
When I was a kid I never went in to the kitchen to cook - only eat. It was a standing joke that when I got married my poor husband and children would be eating McDonald's every night. I agreed, what fun was cooking??  Well - something changed about 2 years
after we were married. I decided I wanted to cook, it was fun. The first year I invited everyone to my house for Christmas dinner they all laughed and asked if Domino's was open on Christmas Day. I prepared a huge meal and even made my dinner rolls from
scratch. Unbelievably - everything was perfect. Beginner's luck that was! After the meal my dad said he was quite pleased - his daughter had learned to cook - something he never suspected would happen.Â
My husband and I won't be around for Father's Day this year. We are heading to Chincoteague Island, Virginia on Saturday. When we get back I will have my Dad over for a nice dinner and something very rich and chocolatey for dessert. I never have to wonder
where I got my sweet tooth!Â
I may be 48 years old - but my Dad is still Daddy to me and always will be. Daddy, I love you!
