A father's value

It's Father's Day today. I've been back in Louisiana for about a month now. I've spent almost every morning here having coffee with my daddy. Today I am thinking about how valuable a daddy is. 

Both for boys and girls a daddy has an enormormous impact. Making little boys into caring and productive men is something most mothers cannot do alone. Giving little girls confidence and self assurance with grace and poise is equally as challenging. 

I am so thankful that my daddy has always loved me and believed in me. I am blessed far more than I deserve. Being the daughter if a farmer who happened to spend a lot of time with me, afforded me the opportunity to have surrogate dads also. Between Mr Rudy and daddy, I have always gotten advice (wanted or not), always had a place to store any of my possessions, and always had someone to pull me out of the mud. 

As I grow older and watch my own children form those precious bonds, I think about the men in my life.  Men who always accepted me for me and wanted me to be happy. No matter what happy meant. 

Uncle Sonny - for realizing that as a teenager, I just needed someone to be with me, to hear me and not condemn me. Thank you for baking hundreds of Christmas cookies with me. I find therapy in baking to this day.

Dan - thank you for understanding that I just wanted to talk to my boyfriend on the phone. 

Guy - because you loved me when I hated you. 

PawPaw Zack - I hope that I am able to create the memories for my children and grandchildren that you created for me

PaPa Hughes - not every grandfather takes you to open your first checking account as a freshman in college. You picked me up and brought me to dinner and returned me to my dorm so often. I was never lonely with you around. 

 

Papa Floyd - you saw what Yody saw in me. Because you loved him, you loved me. 

Uncle Mike - you are a father figure  to me and my husband and a grandfather figure to my boys. More than that, you are our friend. Your patience with my children is amazing. They learn so many things about wildlife and outdoor activities with you. I love that you take the time to point out the simple things to them. They now compete on the trip from Elton to Mamou regarding what crops are growing in the fields. They've learned hunter safety from you along with some choice words. ;) You laugh with us when we tease you and Clay will forever giggle about rubbing apples on his arms while deer hunting. 

Mr Rudy - I'm not sure if you are always genuinely happy to see me, but I've never felt that you weren't. Since I was an infant I have loved you and Mrs Bonnie and Mr Rudolf and Mrs Margie. I have such precious memories with you all. You have no reason to be so good to me but you always have been. 

Daddy - you have always been my cheerleader, my support, my mechanic, my ambulance, my psychic, my hero, my builder, my mover, my first love. No matter how many times I don't listen, you continue to love me and guide me and teach me. My boys are lucky to have you as am I. 

Being the mother of five active, spirited, and challenging boys has been quite an adventure. I am thankful that their father is one they can model themselves after. Yody, you are an exceptional dad! You provide for all of our needs and wants as well  as find time to coach, play basketbal, football and baseball in the yard, and foosball in the den. You teach them to hunt and fish and work. But mostly you teach us all about life. I love you with all of my heart and I am thankful for you everyday. 

Happy Fathers Day to all the men in my life!  Here's to having someone that can always pull you out of the mud. 

Taking Daddy to the doctor

Everyone should experience taking an elderly parent to the doctor for several reasons.

Of course they need you to take them. Bless their hearts they can't see or hear or walk. Someone needs to drop them at the front of the building, find the location of the office, translate what the the precious tech is asking them to do and guide then to and from the waiting room to the inner office. 

This is what a good child will do for her parents as they age. I try to be a good daughter. I take daddy to from each visit. However, I cannot completely claim the status of good daughter.  I have no class.  I laugh out loud at the various degrees of his handicap. I can't help myself. 

Currently I am sitting at the eye doctor with him because his eye lids have fallen into his eyes. What the heck is that about?  This poor little girl is trying to get him to explain why he's here today. Good grief.  Now she needs him to look through the little lenses and tell him what he sees. I'm killing myself laughing here in the chair. If I'm not careful I will wet my pants. The beauty of it is that he can't see or hear me. Hahahaha

Back to waiting in the group area. All these sweet old folks talking to each other about how the price of watermelon has risen. They absolutely love watermelon. You can't get the long watermelon anymore though. They're all seedless. One old guy rinses his in Clorox in the sink just to make sure no toxins from the rind get in the actual melon. Conversation has switched to washing your chicken. OMG! This is so funny but I can't risk laughing. They might think I'm crazy!

By the time we get called back to see the doctor daddy is ansy. He gives me his cell phone to hold in case it rings. There's a sign saying to turn if off, but he's expecting a call. If it rings, I am instructed to run out of the room and handle it. Perfect. I can do that. 

Conversation while waiting consists of how he had to milk 4.5 gallons of milk from the cows every morning and most evenings when his brother in law wasn't around. Moving on to how easy kids have it today. After 15 minutes he hasn't been seen and he's ready to leave without being seen. He's now given the good doctor a 5 minute limit he proceeds to begin to count in 60 second increments.  He's killing me. 

Regardless, I will take him to any appointments he has. I will continue to laugh at him and love him dearly. 

Hallelujah....the doctor made his 5 minute time limit!