My Father...

I have known in my time many fathers, and am lucky that mine is so exceptional.

My own father is such an excellent example of how a father should be. Sure, he has his faults, but I know that he loves me. For those of you who don't know, I worked for my father for about 10 years as his right hand woman at work. We shared many laughs, and many, many, many cries (I was/am moody). I was his receptionist and got to know the "real man". I knew who he liked and who he was just being nice to. There weren't many people who my dad didn't like... Adults liked him, they think he is funny, not often did they see the serious side. He was intimidating to my friends, which was a good thing at times.

He can be hard to read... I think he is like a psychologist in the way that he would let you talk on and on until you knew what to do. He would give his advice and if you didn't take it, that was harder on him than it was for us. We always knew when there was a serious conversation starting because it started with, "Come in, shut the door and have a seat." (Most Stake Presidents say this.) As a Stake President, he was a great speaker and I still remember when he was released and put in as the Priest Teacher. (I think he actually asked for this calling to dig up dirt on me, as well as find me a suitable husband who could keep me in line.)

He was always ready to offer a Father's Blessing when asked. It was always followed by a hug.

He was the one that told me that my friend, Steve, had fallen asleep at the wheel and died. I was very upset, and my first thought was "how would they live without their father?". It never occurred to me that mine could die too.

When I was growing up, he was always gone. Mom did the discipline... she was the "bad guy" in my mind (now, she's my friend). Dad was just there to look pretty. Mom would hand out the punishments, Dad was at a meeting. Mom told us no, Dad told us nothing, he was gone to a Stake Council Meeting. He is a great example of how the Priesthood should be used. He taught my brothers to used their priesthood authority and we have all gained from their teachings and examples. My brothers are wonderful men that I am proud of, and their wives are fortunate to have them.

We loved holidays! He would be home and I think those were the best days! He would always plan something. We went on so many vacations while we were growing up. Disneyland was a repeated favorite. Sea World, Disney World/Epcot, World's Fair in 1986 (three weeks with 5 kids in a motorhome up through Utah and Down by way of the coast, they're crazy), Hawaii, Utah, Durango/Silverton Railroad, and Reunions.

Every Valentine's Day, we would recieve a letter from my dad with a heart inside that told us how much he loved us.

We always had toys because my dad wanted to make sure that we had fun. There was a boat (or two), Four wheelers, the cabin in Pine, and a motorhome. Needs were met, but wants were sometimes too.

He came to Girl's camp in overalls...

He volunteered to do the fourth year's hike and we got lost. What a blast, even though we were hiking for 6 hours, he made sure that we still had fun. He played pranks on most of us, always trying to scare us.

My parents put their kids first. They made sure that we were disciplined, taught to do chores, and they knew our friends. They knew them very well. They knew the ones that we would get in trouble with and those we could be trusted with. Some of my best buddies were in both categories, but he asks me about them still.

Since the stroke, he is not the same person. The basic person is the same, but he is more still now. I know that he will be that person again, if not here, then he will be someday... I still keep in my voicemail a message that he sent to me when they were leaving on their mission to Nauvoo. It goes something like this, "Hey Shell-babe. We are on our way, we'll call you when we get to Dave's. Love you. Bye."