Happy Father's Day

I just told my mom yesterday that I hate Father's Day. Not because I don't love and honor and cherish my dad because I absolutely do! But when your husband dies and leaves behind two little girls it makes for just one more day where stuff comes up that little girls shouldn't have to think about. So after going to church and hearing at church that it was Father's Day, we came home and the questions started. How did daddy die? How long has he been dead? Can he come back just for today? Should we be sad today? And a few more...I should be happy that my girls talk to me about this stuff. I should be pleased that they are at least processing. But it's hard sometimes when you are wishing it would all just go away and you're hit with another reminder, another day for them to struggle through. And then I thought about my sister. Today, in the midst of me being a brat about today, my parents and my kids and I went on a lovely day trip to Elbe and rode the steam train. We had a blast! And as I was posting pictures to Facebook and sending texts to my sister, I could read the hurt and sadness in her responses. She and her kids were down south, with no dad. No Pa for her kids and a daddy that has been out to sea for oh so long. And my heart was sad for them and I felt selfish and foolish. I had my daddy. I had my girls' Pa. And I was thankful. I watched all day as my girls laughed and joked and smiled and climbed on their Pa. And my whole thoughts about this day changed. My girls are missing their father. That piece is fact and there isn't anyone that will ever take his space in our lives. But, we have so much more than that! We have our Pa. My daddy. Who has been there for every step of my life. He has worked so hard and loved so much. His heart breaks when ours does. He rejoices in our victories. He quietly sat back and waited for me to ask for help in my grief and he carries me through on the days I need him. And he is the best Pa ever! He loves my kids and is there for them, filling that important male role model spot that they need. And I couldn't have anyone better for that job. And I'm thankful for the countless other kids he has filled in for. 

But, I'm beyond blessed! Because Pa isn't the only one. There are many men, many "dads" in our lives that have stepped in or stepped up or stepped over to help me out in raising my two beautiful girls...and helped to raise me too! There's Pa...my daddy. There's Uncle Ben, who loves my girls as if they were his own. Who, when we see him, plays and runs and jumps and is the best Uncle ever. The Uncle who reminds them of a daddy, and who treats them more like daughters than nieces. And we love him!!  There's Tom, who taught me all the important things like how to burp and fart and drink beer and kick start a motorcycle. And also how to never judge a book by its cover because the harshest biker exteriors are really just big teddy bears, and make for some pretty awesome fill-in dads and grandpas. And we love him!!  And then we have Bruce who is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to godfathers. He fills in around the house wherever he can and always has a second to teach the girls how to fly a kite or wind up an airplane. And he loves us and we love him!  There's Gene who will have to be the one to teach my girls about sports. I have football covered but the other ones not so much. He's taught me lots about roses and respect and religion and I know that will be passed down and we love him!  Grandpa Clay came along a little later in life, but he is no less important. He let us borrow a big chunk of his family for a long time, and took us in as his own. He's my other dad, and Grandpa Clay to the girls. He loves them with all his heart and has taught them important lessons like playing the drums, skee ball, and Gray Wolf and we love him! And even Jared who took ten minutes and laid on the floor with my kids and will forever be known as Spider Man...he gave my girls something that day that they still remember and embrace and we love him too! And there are many more!

So, looking at all that I am blessed!! So, so blessed!! I have lots of reasons to love Father's Day. And just because one is missing doesn't mean that we haven't had a hundred more step in to help us out! We are so grateful to all of our dads!! And all of our grandpas!! You all hold such a special place in our heart and we are forever grateful for the part you've played in who we are today!  Thank you! And Happy Father's Day!!