My dad is one of the most amazing people I have ever known. Growing up I didn't realize how lucky I truly am. People in the community would always say to me, "You have a great dad." or "You are lucky you have great parents." And I would just nod my head and say, "Yeah." I was an idiot. I took my family... my dad for granted.
As I got older and met new people and heard their stories and learned about their childhood it made me sad for them. But made me appreciate my dad so much more. Then I got the job at Provo Canyon School. There I heard more and more stories and I couldn't believe how most these children were treated by their fathers or grandpas. And once again I couldn't believe how lucky I was.
My dad is a very giving and selfless person. Nick tells me all the time, "Your dad is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. He is such a good man." He would do absolutely anything for my mom. He adores her and you can see it on his face when he talks to her. You can see it in the way he treats her. He has been is Disneyland I don't know how many times. Not because its his favorite place but because its my moms. The last few times he has gone he hasn't been able to ride many of the rides because of his bad knees he cant get in and out of the rides. But he goes and walks and waits in the heat so everyone else can have a good time. He goes shopping with my mom and is always carrying her bags. He drives all over the state taking my mom wherever she might want to go.
He would also do anything for his children. Growing up he almost had perfect attendance to all of our sporting events, recitals etc. Plus working full time with teaching extra classes, city council and later Bishop responsibilities. Now he attends all my nieces and nephews sporting events and activities. He has cooked us countless meals. Including our favorite meals just because he knows we like it. I swear every time we go down to visit he cooks Nick his favorite breakfast... which is also my dads favorite breakfast. I will never forget this one time that my dad got mad at me. I can't remember why he got mad or anything. But I do remember I woke up from my nap and on the kitchen table was some flowers and a Pizza Gallery smoothie for me. He felt bad for getting mad at me so went and did that for me.
One thing I took for granted majorly was the fact my dad honors his priesthood. Every year before school started he would give us all a blessing. He would give us blessing when we were sick. And if we ever needed one for whatever. I can't believe how lucky I am that I got that. I never thought about life without the priesthood. I just knew if I needed a blessing he would be there.
Sadly not everyone has a dad like mine. A dad that honors and respects his wife. Treats his kids with love and respect. Puts everyones needs before their own. Not everyone has a dad that can give them blessings when they need it. And it breaks my heart knowing that. I often wonder, how did I get so lucky? My dad... oh my gosh he is so slow sometimes ha. All seven of us kids make fun of him and tease him like crazy! But we do it because we love him.... and cause its easy lets be honest. But honestly I cannot imagine my life without him! I am so glad not only do I get him in my life but I am also so glad Nick gets my dad in his life. And I am glad that one day our children will have the best grandpa ever! He is a great example to all of his kids, in-laws, grandchildren. And we all adore him!
Happy Birthday Kim-bo!
