Sunday, June 21, 2009

Father's Day


On this Father's Day I choose not to feel upset.
Instead I am counting my blessings.
My dad was an unconventional father. During my youth he wasn't around a lot. He was actively involved in the union movement and it did take a toll on our family life. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't resented him. It took many years for this resentment to go away.
A few years ago, while enjoying a late night on our deck my dad turned to me and said, "I wish I would have been a better dad." And with tears in his eyes he said, "I'm sorry." He then told Scott and I that his grandsons were his way of reconciling the past. After that moment I never looked back.
The other day I was thinking about the sacrifices he made for his family. I am proud of them. I wouldn't be the person I was, nor the parent I was if he hadn't done so.
Thank you Dad.
He was the best grandfather any child could have. The day before he left for Vancouver he told Scott and I that he "just needed enough time to see his boys graduate". I know that he's not here physically with us, but I know without a doubt he'll see his boys graduate.
We were blessed to have him in our lives as long as he was. "It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in those years."
~~~~~~



I cannot even describe how blessed I am to have the husband I do.
To say he's an amazing father is an understatement. He is selfless and always puts our needs ahead of his own. I'm not so good at this I have to admit. On his days off he always makes sure there is time alloted for the boys. This is something I'm not so good at either. (if I had a day off I'm running for the hills....alone!!!) A couple of months ago when I was complaining about not having enough time to myself he said, "babe, just think, in a few years you're going to want these days back. We'll have many years of time to ourselves." He always knows how to put things in perspective.
He teaches the boys right from wrong. (Even those unintentional lessons...the right way to curse). He's not afraid to show emotion. He tells them constantly how much he loves them and says everynight before they go to bed, "someday you're not going to want me to hug and kiss you...until then...this is what you're getting."Jonas summed it up today when I asked him why he loved his dad so much, "mom, he's everything you'd expect a dad to be and more."
Happy Father's day to my gorgeous,selfless quick witted, loving, funny, athletic, charming, kind husband.
Now that's a sentence that is over filled with adjectives. I could have written many more.
But simply put, we love you.
Happy Father's Day!
~Jenny

5 comments:

Connie said...

aww. you made me cry. thinking of you today as you miss your dad. thanks for your honesty. you are so great!

Christy said...

You totally made me cry too Jenny...what an awsome post! You are blessed!

Rox said...

I cried too!

You're a lucky girl, Jenny. But I think you already know that...love ya!

Tanya said...

That was a great post Jenny! Your dad is looking down on you with pride! I hope you had a great day with Scott and the boys!

Anonymous said...

I was thinking about you today Jenny. Your dad would be so proud. I loved the stories of your dad coming over everyday to just sit and hang out with your boys - it's so special that they will always have fond memories of him too. And your love - very handsome - you are blessed to have one another.

Loves, C.

 
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