Today the world celebrates Father's Day. We plan events, we gather around, we spend time with our own personal super heros.
There is always something special that we like to point out about our dads that make them stand out so much and it makes them proud, feeling good that we notice and appreciate what they have done.
This post will be no different. If there is someone I like talking about, it is certainly about my dad and what he has done for me.
Growing up, I had that sappy story of not having a father to raise me. My mother divorced my biological father before I was born, and throughout the years, it consisted of me trying to gain his love and acceptance or even for him just to notice me.
He had a different life then, a new family with 4 more kids and I was just a nuisance. Perhaps I was just an ugly reminder of his past that he wanted to regret.
Whatever the reason may be, I am so happy it turned out that way. It presented many life lessons that I still look back to today. It shows me the right things that I need to fight for.
Fast forwarding to when I was maybe 10 yrs old, my mother met a hard working man. A crane operator to be exact. They met at the restaurant my mother worked at. A classic love story; the waitress, the hard working man, locking eyes forever more.
This man fought hard to gain her trust, love and affection, but he was given one warning. She has 2 daughters. The oldest daughter being lost in her ways and the younger one that took on the role of being the protector.
She told him the youngest wouldn't like him, wouldn't accept him. She accepts no one.
See this younger daughter grew tired of rejection and hardships. She built an impenetrable wall that worked to fight and protect against the newcomers.
The man replied to her that it was ok. That he would let her take all the time she needed and that one day she will accept him for he will love her like if she was his one of his own children.
Oh yes, I did not like him. I hated how he just pranced into my family of 3, bossing me around like if he was handed a crown and became king. Such an authoritative figure!
We moved in to his home when I was eleven. He had three of his own children living with him. I was brought into that family like if I was an intruder. I had to make it a point that it was not my home and we weren't staying there for long.
I remember despising the moments where my mother had pushed me to gain permission from that man rather than gaining it from her. Oh, I was so angry at her for doing that. "He has no authority over me, he is not my dad!" I remember those words that have been said so often.
Of course things changed over time. With his time and dedication and love, he started to grow on me. He showed me that I was important, that I had a place in his heart and that, yes, his home was my home too. I was there to stay.
I was learning what it was like to have a father. He spent what little time he had when he was not working to show me various things. He taught me to play the organ (Yamaha electone organ 2 keyboards with a bunch of gadgets),he taught me to drive ATV's, he helped me with my homework and he even taught me how to operate a crane! Mind you it was one of the smallest cranes. Just your average sized boom truck but to me it was everything. And ya, I still remember how to do it and know the hand signals for operating. ~ He brought me to work one day and had me try out a 20 ton crane. The construction site was closed that day so he took the opportunity to show me. It was impressive back then but it's nothing compared to the machines he gets to operate normally, like the 400 ton for example.
I loved it back then and I still love it today!
The most important thing he taught me out of everything is about life. See, without him, I wouldn't be here today. We are lucky to have him in our lives because of the life we were living. A dead end path, straight to the gutters. Because of him I know what it is to have a dad and what that special bond is between a father and daughter. I learned to truly appreciate him and the moments we shared.
Through him, I learned to truly appreciate someone, to be thankful for who we have in our lives, to love unconditionally but not costly and to make the most of what we got. Life is too short for misery, so work hard in life, in everything we do to make it a great life.
What we do on this earth is reflected upon in the future. My dad will be remembered for many things and for the joy he put into our lives. His imprint will be on the many tall buildings he helped build but most of all, his impact on our lives will be carried on through his family and friends, through me and my kids, his life teachings being passed on for many generations.
My dad is a rare gem in this world. If I could express more, this blog would be comparable to the thickness of the bible in size. I hold him dearly in my heart and I make sure that he knows this for I remind him every chance that I get. A parent will sacrifice everything they got for their children and even their life. We should see that and we should give thanks for that.
So to all those great dads and step dads out there and especially to mine, happy father's day! May your day be spent with your children making memories that ripple in the future.
Prayer to the Great Spirit Grandfather
Great Spirit Grandfather, let my heart, soul and mind be always strong with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Great Spirit Grandfather, hear my words for wisdom so that I may open my eyes and see all that is good around me.
Thank you fathers for our teachings.