My Dad.

Yesterday I thought a lot about Father’s day and how much I loved being a dad. That thought immediately went to the source of my love for fatherdom, my dad.

I think my sister and I share the same opinion that we have an amazing father. I would not be the man I am today without him, no way no how. He has been so instrumental in both my sister’s and my success.  I thought I would take the time to get my thoughts about my father on “paper”, so that I could adequately express what he meant to me. Below are the top 10 of his best qualities in no particular order:

1. Patience. Wow, I have yet to meet a more patient man. Whether it is dealing with the crazy women in our life (no offense ) or whether it is problem solving a problem with a car or a sprinkler system, I have learned that keeping a level head and waiting on the correct solution is better than losing my temper or taking shortcuts. Thanks dad.

2. Emotionally open. My dad is unlike most men in that he shares his thoughts, feelings and emotions. He was always quick to tell my sister and I how much he loved us, and that he was proud of us. I have never felt unloved. In turn, I am very open with my emotions. A real man provides for the health of his family, this includes their emotional health.  Thanks dad.

3. Selflessness. My dad has, for as long as I have known him, has been very selfless. He puts everyone ahead of himself. This is a quality that I have been trying to mimic, but alas it is the most difficult. The difficulty level makes my dad extraordinary. Take his job for example. He doesn’t love it, but it has allowed him to take care of his family very well. I know he would rather do something more fulfilling work wise, but the ability to provide in a way that he has has been very fulfilling. My mom can probably count on one hand the years she had to work. Because of his selflessness, my sister and I were able to be raised by a parent, and not a daycare worker.  Thanks dad.

4. Love. My dad has so much love for his family, and others. This shows in so many ways, by the hugs, smiles and everything he does. I grew up watching my dad love his wife, my sister and I, friends, and even strangers. He’ll stop to change a flat, use a clothes hanger to get keys locked in someone’s car, teach Sunday school, run sound for kids church, be a greeter, deacon and the list goes on and on.  I can attribute my love for people from a great example. Thanks dad.

5. Godliness. The aforementioned love comes from the love of  his earthly and heavenly father. Without the love of Christ overflowing from him, there is no way he could have loved me like he does.  His decision to follow Christ, directly influenced our decision to follow Christ.  He was a good man, and always took us to church. He looked out for the spiritual well being of our family.  Thanks dad.

6. Pure. I have never seen my dad look twice at another woman. Nor have I heard him make dirty jokes or degrade women. He always fast forwarded by inappropriate parts in movies and change the channel when Victoria decided to share her secrets on commercials.  He has given me a great example to try and follow. Thanks dad.

7. Hard working. My dad works very hard. Both in his professional and private life. Professionally, I love watching him work, or talk on the phone to colleuges and clients. He turns into some kind of awesome working animal. He has come a long way from a lab tech to a senior manager of quality control for a major company. This did not come from fancy education, but rather honest hard work. Work that others noticed and rewarded him for. At home, he does everything right. Even if that means extra time.  Sometimes he works harder on his honey do list than he does at work, which means little rest on the weekend.  In turn, I have worked very hard to get where I am. An attribute I gained from my father. Thanks dad.

8. Good steward. My dad takes care of his stuff. I know this sounds silly, but in a world where so many people carelessly don’t take care of things, this is a great attribute. God has blessed him financially, and he takes care of what he has. He changes the oil, washes the cars, cleans the AC filters, so on and so forth. Many people don’t maintain things. He does, I do. Thanks dad.

9. Consistent. What I heard today, put it into words. My dad was more concerned about what I would think of him when I am 25, then what I thought of him when I was 15. Then, he was lame and a bump in my road. Now he is a shining example of what I want to become. He raised me the same, from start to finish. Thanks dad.

10. Made time. Growing up, my dad made time for us. Earlier on, he had to work odd hours or take more business trips, however, as time went on it leveled out. The great thing is, even if he had to work a lot or travel, you knew that it pained him greatly to be apart from his family. He came to baseball games, my sisters band concerts, we worked on cars together. He travels and drives to Houston to see my sister and her family just for an hour and a half before driving back home! He made time for us. Time is something you can’t get back, I just wish I made more time for him.  He was present. Thanks dad.

My dad would probably say that I exceeded him in life. I, however, believe that I have enormous shoes to fill. If I turn out to be half the man he is, I am doing something right.  My eyes fill with tears when I think of the kids that I teach. They don’t have the dad that I had, and they will not be parents like I will be because of that fact. I am sad that they are getting ripped off in life, but I am joyous that I am amazingly blessed.

Thanks dad. I love you.

-Matt