Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day here. I did a lot of reflection over how blessed we are to even be able to celebrate this holiday. I remember days when I thought we would never be able to celebrate Fathers or Mothers Day. God has truly blessed us and I am so thankful. I'm also thankful for what a wonderful dad Eric is. He works so hard to take care of us and doesn't even think twice about taking Gabe for the day so I can get away and have some girl time. In fact he is the one that makes sure that I get some time away or buy some things for myself. He is constantly making me smile and laugh. His joy sets the tone for our home and we thank God every day for how happy we are.
I also thought a lot about Mark, Eric's dad, and what a wonderful example he is. I attribute how supportive and patient Eric is to having such a great man to look up to his whole life. Mark is a man of few words but still finds ways to show how much he loves you. He will drop everything to come babysit for us when we are in a pinch. He enjoys walking Gabe around when he is fussy and showing him things. He has a great way of passing his peacefulness on to Gabe and everyone else around him. Even with all the crazy moving we have done in the last 2 years (4 moves!) he is the first one to help and the last to leave. It's no wonder that his two grandchildren fight over him. Brooke, Gabe's cousin, is so possessive of Grandpa! She has a sixth sense of when he is holding Gabe and not her. She will run from another room to be picked up too.
I'm also thankful for W.T. Gillum who allowed me to come and live with his family when I was fourteen. They took me in and showed me what it meant to be parents and to live in a Christ-like home. I don't want to think of where I would be if it weren't for them. Ya, he was strict but I longed for rules and boundaries and someone who cared enough to set them. We have a special relationship that even my husband has noticed. He says that when I talk to T. I get feisty and awnry. I love to give T a hard time and joke around with him. He has been in poor health the last few years, and I fear the day when I have to say goodbye.
Lastly, my dad. I've always been a daddy's girl. My dad had his issues and was an alcoholic for 30 years. I so admire him though for turning his life around. My dad has taught me to look at all sides of an issue and to not judge people. He is an arguer and debater by nature which I now see prepared me for marrying Eric. Because he was always so up front with me, I knew I could go to him for anything. I've been blessed to actually get to know him all over again the last nine years since he has stopped drinking. I love our long phone conversations where we debate politics and religion. Although we disagree we never yell or get mad.
I hope all of your Father's Days was just as great.