Daddy

Today I was out running. Just an ordinary run with my aunt through her neighborhood. As we were turning the corner, there was a taller guy riding a blue scooter with a jacket on. Imediately, I thought of my daddy. I didnt realize how much I missed him until I saw that guy on the scooter, and it wasnt my dad.

For those of you who dont know, I have the best dad in the entire world. From the time I was little every one has told me that I look like my dad. That I talk like me dad. That I have the same sense of humor as my dad. That I laugh just like my dad.  For the longest time, that really bugged me. I suppose its because I was young and I was almost offended that anyone would say that I looked or acted like a boy. however, now I realize how lucky I am to have my daddy, and in many aspects be a lot like him.

My daddy was always the most fun to be around. He would always play with me no matter what I choose.I could be boxing my dad, or dressing him up like a princess and either way it was fine with him. I cant even tell you how many times my dad has worn make up, let me do his  hair and accidentely made it out the door with jewlery from our tea partys still on. He took me to my first diamondbacks game and peeled off every bit of bread on his corn dog so I could have it. He had me memorize all the baseball players on the 1998 dback team, and let me pretend like I knew everything about it. Anything I showed an interest in, my dad was right there with me. He roller bladed with me, rode bikes, went to every horse show I ever had, came to marching band competitions, you name it he was there. I didnt know it then, but I was very lucky to have a dad that was always there to support me. My daddy spent countless hours with me out at the barn with my pony cleaning stalls, watching me ride, trailering me to 4-h, horse shows, helping me pack the trailer, and make me horse all pretty. He always made sure he had more than enough carrots for barkley, and would talk to him before every class, and tell him to do his very best, and he would get a great treat afterwards. Needless to say, whether we did well or not, barkley always got a great treat.

My dad has always made sure that our family has what we need. He would go to the ends of the earth to do so. He is a jack of all trades and knows a lot about many things. He has worked harder than anyone I have ever met to get through college and do so with high marks, despite not finishing high school. He has an amazing ablitiy to always go full heartedly at everything he does. I have never seen anyone study harder than my dad to learn what he needs to learn, in fact, he knows just about every airport in the united states and their abbreviations. I can remember times, where my dad would sit down with his bible for hours and just read.

He would always make an attempt to do things as a family. Family trips, family gatherings, family movie time, he would talk to us about God and the bible, and how much he loves us.

My dad is the best. The worst part though is that I never appreciated it. I always felt like it was such a drag to have to listen to my dad at horse shows, or to drive to church early sunday morning, to watch passion of the christ near easter. I hated it. As I got older I never wanted my dad to embarass me, and at times I was just plain rude. I didnt appreciate everything he did for me, all the knowledge he shared with me. None of it. It took me a very long time to give him the credit he deserves. All the time I would get mad at him for doing something wrong, and I would find anything that he did wrong to get made about despite all the things he would do right. I didnt realize that he was only human.

Now I have to say, I really regret not appreciating him more. I truly do have the best father that anyone could ask for. Not because he is fun to be around and was always there for us but because he has given me the foundation for everything in my life. He has given me a love for God, and our country. Has instilled respect in me for those who serve our country and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. He has taught me how to keep going when times are tough. How to show people love and compassion. How to be polite and use my manners.He has shown me the importance of working hard. I could  go on for days about everything my dad has done for me. Now I realize that everything he has ever done was to help us or make us better. He has always gone above and beyond, always made an effort to be apart of my life. All I can say now is that daddy, Im sorry for not always listening to you, and appreciating every little thing you have done with me or shared with me. You are the best dad that anyone could ask for and now I can see that you always had the best intentions for our family. Thank you. Just thank you. I feel like that isnt enough but daddy, I love you and no matter how mad or upset I get with you that will never ever change. you are the best, and thank you for everything you have ever done for me and our family.

I love you.