A Father's Day Tribute

Mom has an amazing gift of gathering her family together to celebrate special occasions--or any occasion for that matter! The gatherings usually include massive quantities of food, plastic tablecloths with centerpieces (that she most likely saved from the last family party) games, laughter, and you can even expect a program with songs, a talent show, and someone sharing a thought or a poem. I'm almost certain that most of my insecurities stem from being forced to dance or sing or speak at random family parties in front of distant relatives! :) Although I have tried many times to get out of my portion of the "program", I am usually very grateful for the opportunity that I have had to share my thoughts and my heart with my family.

On Fathers Day, Mom gathered her family together for a wonderful day with Dad at the hospital. Only Mom could turn a sterile hospital classroom into a fun and festive family party! It was such a miracle that Dad could join us, even if was for just a little while. It was so great to be together as a family on such a special day! Mom put together a program (I wouldn't have expected any less) and asked that the grandkids sing a couple of songs for grandpa, she had Debbie put together and present a special gift from each of the grandkids (that turned out to be a beautiful "flower" garden made with cut-out paper hands from all of the grandkids), and asked that I give a tribute to Dad. My heart was full and I was so grateful that I was given an opportunity to tell Dad how much he has taught me by living such a righteous life. I thought I would share my tribute on the blog...for posterity's sake. It's a bit long, so I apologize in advance, but here it is!

Faith of our Fathers
The opening hymn in our sacrament services today was “Faith of our Fathers”. As I listened to the words we sang I reflected upon the faith of my own father and the life that he has led and the many lessons of faith that he has taught me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share with my father on this very special Father’s day, how his faith has influenced and impacted my life. His faith has made me the person I am today and I am so grateful to be his daughter and to have him in my life. I thought of three lessons of faith that he has shared with me over the years. The first is the faith to work hard, the second is faith to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly, and lastly faith in the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dad has an amazing work ethic. Whether it is putting on his metal-cleated golf shoes in the middle of winter to shovel snow on our steep driveways, or getting on his hands and knees in the hot sun repairing sprinkler heads each and every springtime, or rebuilding the engine of our white Jetta, or replacing the sheetrock in his old office, painting, plumbing, tiling, anything… There wasn’t anything Dad couldn’t do or fix. Not only did he fix everything, he did it beautifully and perfectly. He rose before dawn each morning to leave for work and he came home after dark each evening. He had a work to do to provide for his family and he did it with his head held high and with full purpose of heart. He had faith that our family would be provided for if he worked hard and tirelessly and he gave all that he had. He worked hard because he loved his family so much.

There is a quote by President David O. Mckay that says, “‘The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” There is no greater love in Dad’s life than his beautiful wife. He loves Mom so completely, so purely, and so eternally. Their love transcends time and the trials that their mortal bodies will face in this lifetime. Dad longs to be by Mom’s side, even if it is a trip to the grocery store or a walk to the park. Dad will spend hours in a parked car in a parking lot just to go “shopping” with mom. His first thought is always of her happiness and he cherishes her as his bride and loving companion. They are never apart for very long and their love is such an example for each of us to strive for. Dad’s faith to love unconditionally has taught me so much about real and true love.

Dad has faith in and a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I knew as a young girl that I could always go to my father and ask for guidance, comfort, and healing in a Priesthood blessing at any time. He lovingly and tenderly placed his hands on my head in giving me a father’s blessing and I know that there was power from on high in the words he spoke. He has always had a testimony of the gospel and lives his life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even when times were tough Dad had a testimony of paying his tithing and made it his first priority. His former Bishop, Ramon Beck, said that even when he didn’t see Mom and Dad in the pews on Sunday, he could expect a tithing check in the mail every month. Even now when Dad is so sick and in the hospital, he still wants me to pay his tithing because he knows of the blessings that come from it. He has a testimony of temple work and feels he has a work to do in serving in the temple and being together with his whole family in the house of the Lord. I truly believe that the day we're all together in the temple will be his greatest joy.

I am so grateful for the faith of my father. I know he loves his Savior, Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for all the lessons of faith that he has taught me. I am grateful for this opportunity to tell Dad how much I love him and how much his faith has meant to me in my life. I love you Dad!!