My dad is a quiet man. He has always been one of little words, not overly conversational, but has a wonderful bedside manner and gentleness that makes people feel at ease. I would say that I got my introverted nature from my dad, although my mom's the same way so I guess I was double whammied.
I have learned a lot from my dad over the years, in a very different way than most people learn. My dad has never been a lecturer, he never sat me down to give me a talking to, never pulled me aside to teach me a lesson, never spanked or scolded me often. He taught me life lessons through his actions and modeling. As a child or younger adult I never gave much thought about how my dad was teaching me. He was always just the quiet, loving, giving man who looked out for my well being and made sure I was taken care of. As a parent myself now, I realize my dad was teaching me lessons all along.
My dad taught me that love comes in many different packages. We all love differently, some people love loud and big, others quiet and strong. My dad loves quiet and strong. I never question my Dad's love for me. Growing up we weren't real big on hugs and kisses, saying I love yous (until later in life) and words weren't his strong point, but his actions always told me I was his daughter, his love and his pride. My dad will do anything in his power for me. He is generous beyond anyone I know. His love is quiet, gentle and strong, a love I understand and find myself presenting to the people in my life.
My dad taught me that education and knowledge prepares you for what will come to you in life. Learning new things daily is an essential aspect of living successfully. Life lessons come in many ways, and learning isn't always a happy, enjoyable adventure. My favorite quote from my dad, "You pay for your education." THIS. IS. SO. TRUE. Sometimes we learn hard lessons and pay with the loss of money, but I think what he was really trying to say was, we are educated by not only our studies, but by our life decisions. We learn from everything we do, we may pay with loss of friendship, loss of respect, loss of happiness...yet we learn.
My dad taught me hard work will bring you success. My dad is a successful dentist because of his hard work. He built a business through hard work, education and determination. I see my dad now and know he has set up his business from so long ago and is enjoying his life now,even more, because of his success and hard work. My aunts and uncles like to share stories of my dad and his dedication for working as a young man. He held jobs through-out his young life. He is the oldest of 9 kids and I know the weight of his need to be an example was on his shoulders often.
My dad taught me a sense of humor will often be the saving grace in life. I got my sense of humor from my dad. We love to laugh, that Sacry Laughing Gene is an amazing gene to have...Thank for that one Dad! One of my favorite things in life...watching my dad laugh to the point of crying. My dad is so controlled, and calm, and watching laughter and joy take over is rewarding. He loves humor, he is a jokster, he has a great sense of humor, and his laugh is infectious. My dad knows how to have fun, he likes adventure and happiness. There is a time for control and calm, but there is also a time for fun and life is a little less serious if you can have a sense of humor.
Being the oldest in a large family may be a hard endeavour. My dad has never complained or said one bad thing about his childhood. He loves his siblings so unconditionally. Not one bad word has ever escaped his lips, in front of me, about his mom, dad or siblings. I know there were times he didn't see eye to eye with a family member, but my dad is good at loving and caring and being a devoted brother and son regardless. My dad is a leader in his family. I sometimes think it's because as the oldest, responsibilities just default to him, but as an adult I have come to realize it's more than that. He presents himself with grace, and strength. He takes on the role of leader whether by choice or circumstance. I try to be that kind of leader too.
There are so many more things my dad has taught me, many I'm sure he doesn't even know. My dad is not perfect, he has learned a lot of lessons the hard way, he has made mistakes, and I know he would say he is still learning daily, but what it comes down to is this. My dad taught me and continues to teach me that life is worth living, that I should make the best of what I have, be smart, laugh often and love unconditionally, give without reservation, and never ever forget where you came from.
I love you Dad! I wish we could spend more time together and lived closer to each other, but know that I think of you daily, love you unconditionally and will forever thank God that he allowed me to be your daughter. Happy Father's Day.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
#1
This year, in my birthday card from my dad, he ended his wonderfully kind words with the following, "and like Grandma Nonie used to tell me, you'll always be #1." If any of you knew Grandma Nonie you realize she always liked a play on words. Dad is the oldest of 9... The number one child. I am the oldest child of my dad's kids...therefore, I too am #1, and my dear Kayla Marie is #1 which leads me to her.
My sweet #1 child will turn 17 in two weeks. I can't believe 17 years have passed since I woke up my husband telling him " I think I'm in labor and we should go to the hospital" ( and like every good man he said...ok let me jump into the shower first). 17 years seems like a snap, but let me tell you a little about my #1 child and those 17 years.
Kayla fell into this world with her eyes wide open, literally. She had the Biggest, Roundest, Brightest blue eyes, I had ever seen. I admit I thought they looked like bulging fish eyes and was slightly concerned that she may never grow into them. The doctors assured me she would ( and she did!). That big eyed girl has rocked my world ever since that day.
Kayla lives life loudly! She has never done anything "just a little", she has always done everything big, and bold and....loudly. When she is excited she shares with the most jubilant intensity. You feel like you should jump up and down while she talks. When she is angry, frustrated or upset...loud as a ship's captain, and when she believes in something, her passion seeps from the very core of her soul, very loudly. The thing about Kayla though, is you only see her loud self if she wants you to, because Kayla is mature, controlled and cautious. Kayla is one of the most dedicated, stubborn, driven 17 year olds I know. Kayla doesn't do anything half heartedly, if she's going to do it, it's full out 110%. From the get go I have chased Kayla though life. She took off running and Brian and I were left in the dust. I think that's the thing about Kayla that is most amazing, she isn't the biggest risk taker in the world, but she is always up for a challenge. She never shys away from proving herself. I have always been amazed at her dedication to what ever she does. She took gymnastics from age 3 to 11, crazy hours a week, and only as she was deciding that she was ready for something different did she slow down. Then she hit the floor dancing and hasn't looked back since.
Kayla dancing is like watching my heart, on a cloud, as it flies over the mountains. She has always been a dancer at heart, and I lose myself in her extraordinary talent when I see how she goes from graceful, to sassy, to free spirited to intense. If you want to see in the true soul of that girl watch her dance when she doesn't know you're watching.
The other thing about Kayla, she is wicked smart. Over this last year I have watched her take on her education with so much fire. She learns with a desire so deep I am amazed that her brain hasn't exploded. As a parent I love watching my child fascinate in that knowledge that surrounds her
As my #1 child, Kayla was my teacher. We waded through parenting with Kayla taking charge, like always. She taught me how to be a mother, often quite loudly, and she stole my heart in the process. She reflects me in so many ways, yet grows outside anything I could have hoped to be myself. Kayla is my truth. Her compassion, and desire to make this world a better place, to be an inspiration to others and friend to only those who really embrace her, make her something beyond extraordinary.
As I start to think about her last year of living at home full time and her senior year in high school I am sad. One of the benefits of being #1 is you get to the leave the house first, you often don't know what it's like to be left, because you're blazing the trail for #2 and #3. However, sadness is quickly transferred into pride and joy. In one year the world will get one of the most extraordinary persons they will have ever encountered. I have a feeling she will enter it with the grace of a dancer, the determination of a bull, the energy of a steam engine, and the noise of a church bell ringing LOUDLY, but until then, she is still mine for one year. My energy, my truth, my passion...#1.
My sweet #1 child will turn 17 in two weeks. I can't believe 17 years have passed since I woke up my husband telling him " I think I'm in labor and we should go to the hospital" ( and like every good man he said...ok let me jump into the shower first). 17 years seems like a snap, but let me tell you a little about my #1 child and those 17 years.
Kayla fell into this world with her eyes wide open, literally. She had the Biggest, Roundest, Brightest blue eyes, I had ever seen. I admit I thought they looked like bulging fish eyes and was slightly concerned that she may never grow into them. The doctors assured me she would ( and she did!). That big eyed girl has rocked my world ever since that day.
Kayla lives life loudly! She has never done anything "just a little", she has always done everything big, and bold and....loudly. When she is excited she shares with the most jubilant intensity. You feel like you should jump up and down while she talks. When she is angry, frustrated or upset...loud as a ship's captain, and when she believes in something, her passion seeps from the very core of her soul, very loudly. The thing about Kayla though, is you only see her loud self if she wants you to, because Kayla is mature, controlled and cautious. Kayla is one of the most dedicated, stubborn, driven 17 year olds I know. Kayla doesn't do anything half heartedly, if she's going to do it, it's full out 110%. From the get go I have chased Kayla though life. She took off running and Brian and I were left in the dust. I think that's the thing about Kayla that is most amazing, she isn't the biggest risk taker in the world, but she is always up for a challenge. She never shys away from proving herself. I have always been amazed at her dedication to what ever she does. She took gymnastics from age 3 to 11, crazy hours a week, and only as she was deciding that she was ready for something different did she slow down. Then she hit the floor dancing and hasn't looked back since.
Kayla dancing is like watching my heart, on a cloud, as it flies over the mountains. She has always been a dancer at heart, and I lose myself in her extraordinary talent when I see how she goes from graceful, to sassy, to free spirited to intense. If you want to see in the true soul of that girl watch her dance when she doesn't know you're watching.
The other thing about Kayla, she is wicked smart. Over this last year I have watched her take on her education with so much fire. She learns with a desire so deep I am amazed that her brain hasn't exploded. As a parent I love watching my child fascinate in that knowledge that surrounds her
As my #1 child, Kayla was my teacher. We waded through parenting with Kayla taking charge, like always. She taught me how to be a mother, often quite loudly, and she stole my heart in the process. She reflects me in so many ways, yet grows outside anything I could have hoped to be myself. Kayla is my truth. Her compassion, and desire to make this world a better place, to be an inspiration to others and friend to only those who really embrace her, make her something beyond extraordinary.
As I start to think about her last year of living at home full time and her senior year in high school I am sad. One of the benefits of being #1 is you get to the leave the house first, you often don't know what it's like to be left, because you're blazing the trail for #2 and #3. However, sadness is quickly transferred into pride and joy. In one year the world will get one of the most extraordinary persons they will have ever encountered. I have a feeling she will enter it with the grace of a dancer, the determination of a bull, the energy of a steam engine, and the noise of a church bell ringing LOUDLY, but until then, she is still mine for one year. My energy, my truth, my passion...#1.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)