Dad's come in all different shapes, sizes, and mentalities. My Dad is many things. He is first and foremost what you would call "old school." I grew up in a time when children respected their parents without question. The rules were simple, yet sometimes they were hard to follow, because sometimes kids just end up breaking the rules and testing the waters. My Dad had unending patience at times, and then there were times when he didn't. But Dad had a look, a way of cutting his eyes just right to let you know when you were straying off the beaten path.  It was a look that could freeze you in your tracks.  My Dad went above and beyond special when he choose to raise me. You see, I was almost two when my Mom married my Dad. He didn't waste a single moment adopting me and giving me his name. The sperm doner that helped create me, couldn't be bothered with sticking around to raise the fruits of his lust. But that was ok, because I wouldn't trade my Dad for anything.

I learned so much from my Dad growing up. He taught me to never give up and through hard work and effort I could achieve anything. I have often taken for granted that my Dad is there. In the last three months, I have been shown just how easy he could be gone and my time with him on earth could be over in a moment. My Dad has been in and out of the hospital 3 times. Once for almost having a heart attack, another time with a TIA (mini-stroke) and this last time for an irregular heart beat that almost lead to a stroke. Each visit to the hospital was apprehensive at times and tense and we almost lost him a time or two. On the last visit to the hospital, my dad took my hand as I sat by his bed and he told me he didn't want me to cry when he is gone. He told me death is inevitable and has had a great life and he has no complaints. He said he knows I will be busy taking care of my mom and everyone else. But he said he will always be with me as long as I remember him in my heart. I just smiled and reassured him that everything was going to be ok, because that is what I am supposed to do. My Dad is 76 years old and I know that my time left with him is limited. But I am thankful that we are close and I am thankful that he stepped in to be my Dad and to raise me.  My Mom's side of the family didn't always make things easy for him and their were times when they were mean, but he overlooked it and continued on.

With Father's Day around the corner, I began to contemplate what I could get him, that he didn't already have. I ran across a card that is as close to perfect as I could get. When I was a little girl my dad and I spent countless hours watching Abbott and Costello movies together. One of our favorite bits was Who's On First. I found one of those sound cards with the Abbott and Costello routine in it. I have no idea what else to get him, but I am sure I will come up with something. Dad always says the best gift I could ever give him is just being there. I know he's right, but I still like to give presents cause it's fun.

Here are some quotes about Dads:

“It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.” -Anne Sexton

“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.” -Anne Geddes

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” -Jim Valvano

“He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”
-Clarence Budington Kelland