Day 126: For Dad...My One And Only Poppa Bear

I hope you remembered your father’s today…I did. You may not know this about me, but family is super important to me. They are my number one, and I will love them no matter what. Things haven’t always been perfect, but they are all I have and I keep them close. I used to think of my brothers and I as the three musketeers growing up…a band of brotherhood that would never break. We fought like cats and dogs, but when it came down to it we were still each other’s best friend. And even though I don’t often get the chance to go home, and wish I could do so more often, I always make an effort to communicate and connect in whatever way I can. It’s funny you know, you appreciate more what you have when you don’t have it.

So today in honor of Father’s Day, I wanted to honor my own dad.

Here is a man who tried his best to make a ponytail for me when he didn’t know how, who thought I looked cute in my little Brownie outfit and was so proud he HAD to take pictures, who taught me how to ride my first bike until I ran over my brother, who taught me how to fish until I dropped the pole in the lake, who taught me how to drive without complaining of whiplash, who made HUGE forts out of bales for me to play in, who let me tag along on the farm and do everything he did, who taught me how to work the land and respect it, who showed me the meaning of hard work and dedication towards a profession by doing it, who is always of service to others, who gave me my unique and twisted sense of humor we all seem to enjoy, who gives more than he gets, who is loyal to a fault, who would stand up and defend those whom he loved, who puts himself last, and would always always helps out a friend in need.

For everything you are, and everything you have been....thank you. Happy Father’s Day. I love you. xox

And for all you dads out there, including mine (and my brothers who are also fathers), this song is for you. It brought a tear to my own eye...enjoy.