My dad always makes me feel safe. He is the best priesthood holder I know. Any time he lays his hands on my head to give me a blessing, I feel my Saviors love for me because he is a worthy, loving, service oriented father.
I have seen my dad in many different environments and he is always an example of Christ and what a latter day saint priesthood holder should be.
1) In Europe, I’ve seen him treat people like family. He has respect for people with different backgrounds, and culture and treats them all like children of God. He also has respect for their culture itself. He was fascinated and wanted to learn about them. It helped. People like when someone genuinely wants to know about them.
2) At work, I’ve seen him be honest in his dealings, even when it may not be the easiest way. He is a hard worker and has been noticed for his honesty and work ethic in his profession. He runs his OWN business with integrity. Also at work, he has taught me since i was a young teenager and you can imagine a 13 year old with an attitude problem is probably not the most teachable student, but he was always patient.
3) At church and Youth activities, I’ve seen him speak to the youth with real understanding. He treats young people how they COULD be, and not how they are today. He treats them with respect instead of how they deserve. ;) He sees their potential and they love him for it. They look up to him and see him as an ally.
4) Most of all, my dad is an example for me of how a man should be, as a husband and father. He is active in his family’s life. Even with how busy I was as a teen, he cared what I was up to and wanted to be a part of it. It really made a difference because when I was stressed out I knew I could go to him and he would be ready to help because he knew what was going on in my life.
I think the way he is so good at accomplishing the involvement in his kid’s life is that he has such a fun-loving spirit. He enjoys play. Even when he was busy working in the restaurant business he still found time to take me and my brothers on camping trips! Those were the best camping trips too! He is such a nature lover.
Something else that stands out about my dad is his sense of humor. He makes me laugh everyday I’m with him. He loves laughter and he has a way of making life seem so funny to me. He is also the only person alive that thinks I’m funny. Maybe he just acts like it though, because he knows i want to make make him laugh. Between my siblings, there was an unspoken, golden badge of honor for who could make dad laugh.
I think the true mark of a great father is children who know how much their dad loves them and would do anything to see them happy in Eternity. In my home, growing up, there was never any confusion about what was acceptable. I think that’s important for kids, to know what’s expected of them. He set a standard in our home of peace, love, and righteousness.
My dad is not a physical or even vocal person when it comes to his emotions. But I never doubted his love for me individually. He always found the right words to make me know how important I am to him. I remember when I was getting ready for seminary prom and spun around as if to ask how I look. In his perfect sense of humor way he said, “Wow… I don’t think that’s fair to the other girl’s at the dance.” I felt like a princess the rest of the night. He could always see my worries and calm them.
He taught that kind of love to his sons and made them better men for it. He taught my brothers, and all the young men he came in contact with, how to treat a woman and the respect a daughter of God.
Everything I’ve said is very general of how my dad made me feel. He has taught me so much and we have had so many special moments together. He always made me feel important and special in so many little things that are hard to put on paper. But if I’m speaking in “generals”, I know that whenever I succeed, that my dad has a part in it. It’s his victory too because he helped shape me. His love, guidance, and even re-guidance has made me strong. He will always be part of my life when every time I make a decision I wonder what him and my mom would think. I love you, Daddy!
