For Dad & for Wayne

Hero...Teacher...Friend...

When I was about 10 years old, our family had a basset hound named Reginald.  We called him "Reggy."  We loved Reggy until he, like all of our dogs, ran away.  I have a feeling our family was a bit too much excitement for some of our pets.  I remember taking Reggy to our cabin in Mt. Baldy.  We had been taught to steer clear of the steep drop off behind our cabin.  From my memory it was a good 24' drop to boulders below.  We scared ourselves with horror stories of people dying from loosing their footing and falling to the rocks below.  On this trip with our dog Reggie, I was sitting on a huge fallen tree trunk with at least one of my siblings.  To my horror I saw Reggie sliding down the drop off, unable to gain footing due to the accumulation of leaves on the ground.  We screamed for my dad to come save Reggie.  Sure enough, my dad carefully slid down the drop, swept a frightened Reggie in his arms and made his way up to where we were.  We squealed with joy that our dad saved Reggie.  I felt right then and there that my dad was a hero, much like Superman.

My dad has been one of the great teachers in my life.  I don't know where to begin.  I will just say that the greatest lesson he has taught me is to seek to know how each trial, each experience, each challenge in life teaches me about Christ and his atonement.  I am who I am today because of that advice.  When I miscarried back in 2001, at first I thought this advice wouldn't, couldn't apply to this experience.  I was too sad to see any "good" to come from this trial.  I prayed to know how I could learn about the atonement through this trial.  Almost immediately I thought of how because of Jesus' suffering in Gethsemane, he knows how to succor us through our trials.  I knew that from the heartache of my miscarriage I could know how to succor other women in my life who would go through the same trial.

I live MILES and MILES from my dad, and with a ginormous family, I don't get to see him nearly as much as I'd like to, but not a day goes by that I don't fully know that my dad is rooting for me, praying for me, and loving me in all of the things I choose to do with my life.  My dad is someone I can talk to about my hopes and fears.  I am thankful to know that I can talk with him about my weaknesses and he still loves me.  He is a true confidant.  I know my name and my family is safe with him.  He is kind where others are critical, and I love that he is this way with every one of my siblings.  He sees me as a child of God and respects me and my ability to make choices.  Even when I fail, he loves me and believes in me.  He is a true friend.

Finally, I want to say thank you to my dad for loving my mom, unconditionally and faithfully.  The way you loved her and cared for her has given me an example of companionship that is hard to find these days.  You were perfect in caring for mom through her battle with cancer.  I love you for that.  Now with your current love, I am thankful for the respect and love you have for her.  I love that you have taught me the wisdom in priorities...God, spouse, children...  

I am sure that because of you and mom, I have been able to raise my family clear across the nation, with more confidence and faith than I knew I had.  Thank you for your support...it has been a constant.  Thank you for being there for Wayne in a healthy, supportive, loving way.

I can't help but think of grandpa as I write these things, but that will have to come another day.  Thank you for honoring your heritage and for making that legacy a rich part of my life.

Happy father's day!  See you in a few weeks!!!

Lots of love,

Becky

For the love of my life....

I have never loved Wayne more than I do today.  I'm sure this comes from experience; through trials, choices, and working through changes together.  I am thankful that in my weaknesses and struggles, Wayne has been patient and loving.   I recently saw a sign in a little local shop that read, "Love is a friendship set on fire."  Wayne is my love, and after all this time together, he still can make me weak in the knees.

I am thankful for the faithful, capable, and wise father Wayne is to our 5 children.  They adore him and I understand why.

For Father's Day today the kids made darling cards.  Grace gave him a paper weight rock painted to look like a lady bug.   We ate too much, but it was all so yummy...peppered tri tip, potato salad, french bread, and lemonade.

We celebrate you, Waynerd and are so very, very thankful for you!