The Best Father in the World

You may not agree, but I have the best father in the world. He is a hard working man and quite fit for his 83 years. My Dad is a self-made man. He came from a family who raised sheep and chickens and became educated enough to build a four-story home for his family. I mean literally, brick by brick, electricity, plumbing and all. He bought books and learned how to build a home. He can fix almost anything. All his neighbors, who are highly educated, call him whenever they need a handyman.

My father has worked at many different jobs, sometimes two at a time, to keep food on the table and keep his wife happy (which was not easy). He did get some college in and became an accountant for a little company. He raised four children, my brother, me and my two sisters. My brother is a medical doctor, one sister a nurse, another works with special needs children, and I, well, I write amongst other endeavors.

My father did not stop at just building houses, though. He has since then bought a car kit and put together a real running car. He is asked to drive very important people around in parades every Fourth of July parade in our home town and even in other larger towns. He puts on his little hat and totes the high mucky muck people around. He loves it.

He also flies planes. At one time, he had his pilot's license and when I was young, I remember going up with our family in a plane and doing loopy loops above the valley where we lived. It was tons of fun - not sure I would do it now though. Because mother worried about his safety, he was not allowed to go flying so much, so he took up building remote control model airplanes and flying them instead. He made some real beauties.

My Dad is also a carpenter. He has a little shop in the basement where he can turn out some beautiful wood furniture. He even taught himself how to do Intarsia and we have one of his pieces in our home (a fantastic ship on the waves with birds and clouds in the air) It is amazing!

For my Dad's 82nd birthday, he wanted to go sky diving. Sure enough, he was able to make it just fine and has a video of it. Go Dad!!

Even though Dad never had very much money, he never forgets birthdays! He always sends a card and money to me, my husband, my children and now my grandchildren (his great-grandchildren). Same with Christmas. I can't say enough about my dear father.

My father is very witty and has a great sense of humor. He can always tell you some jokes, albeit some may be a little R-rated. He is not stuffy, has a great bass voice and can lead the music in church. He has treated my mother well up until her passing not too long ago.

My Dad is a short guy, but has a big heart. He gives service to others all the time to the people around him. Lately he has been doing geneology/family history. He has gone back several generations and tries to get us all to do our share too.

After my Mother's death, Dad came to stay with us in Hawaii for a few months. He goes walking every morning and loves talking to people. He is so friendly and truly interested in getting to know about others. He does not need much. When he came off the plane, all he had was a little carry-on baggage that had all his clothes, books, and even a present for me. That kept him going for all the time he was with us.

My favorite time with Dad was when my husband and I traveled to Scotland with him to see where our ancestors came from. We rented a car and drove to Glasgow and many other areas. It was really fun and sometimes it was hard keeping up with Dad. We stayed in the highlands and it was so incredibly beautiful there. It was interesting to see that some people still raise sheep like my Dad's father did in Utah. It almost looked like it could have been a scene in Utah, except it was much greener. Utah is desert.

Even though Utah is a desert, my Dad enjoys gardening. Our family home is always full of beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers that he planted. He also raises vegetables each summer and ends up giving away lots of them to the neighbors.

Nothing makes Dad happier than to have a house full of his children and grandchildren making all kinds of noise and mess and then he will clean it all up. He even has learned how to bake cakes and cookies cause Mom always had them around when the grand kids came. He stays up with current events and can hold a lively conversation about most subjects.

So, if you think your father is the best, you are wrong (unless you convince me otherwise - but I doubt it).

Happy Father's Day Dad! We Love You So Much!