Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My Dad




My dad. My hero.

Sunday, after church, my dad began to complain that his belly did not feel right. He was not nauseous, but felt full. The pain was high on his middle. We assumed since the stomach virus is rampant, he was yet another victim. We were wrong.

After leaving lunch early, completely out of character for my foodie father, he and my mom would make the drive to the hospital. Thank goodness they did. My father's appendix was diseased and leaking. He was operated on Sunday night. I was with my girlfriends when my mom called. They just took him. I was there in minutes.

We sat together, it was quiet...empty...late. We chatted and when we weren't chatting, I was thinking. I was thinking of all the good things I had to think about when it comes to my dad. A man of pure goodness, he is the man anyone would want for their daddy.

He and my mother have taught us responsibility not by what they say, but how they live.
He taught me early to tithe to the church.
He taught me that real men honor their wives in every possible way.
And their daughters too.
He taught me that sometimes holding down several jobs at a time is essential to providing for your family.
He holds education in high esteem and at the beautiful age of 69 commits himself to learning every single day.
He is the smartest man I have ever known.
He can make things work.
He still works full time and he is good at it.
He has never let me down, not once. EVER.
He loved God from early on and when his parents didn't take him to church he found people who would.
He is a crier. His heart is bigger than he is.
His children and grandchildren rock his world.
My brother and I are better people because he is our father.
I may be the apple of his eye, but I share that title with one awesome brother and his five amazing grandchildren.
He believes in me even when I don't believe in myself.
I still call him Daddy...

The doctor emerged...Everything went well. Due to certain circumstances, they used a longer procedure but the surgeon hoped it would mean a speedier recovery. As they took him to the OR, he apologized to the staff they called in, he was sorry he had taken them away from their families. That is my dad.

He was groggy next I saw him, aggitated and slightly confused. I held his hand and told him that I love him. His response time was rather slow but he managed to croak "I love you too".

I know Dad. I have never been more sure of anything than I am of the love of my parents.

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord, your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord, your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16

25 comments:

DiJo said...

Thank you for sharing your sweet Daddy with me this morning! What a blessing that everything came together so quickly for his diagnosis/surgery! I will be praying for a quick and full recovery!

Love,
Diana

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Praying that your Dad has a speedy recovery.....sounds like everything went very well. I am glad that they headed straight to the hospital when they did.

Sending get well wishes to your sweet Dad,

Lisa

Sheri said...

Sending prayers up for your sweet daddy and a quick recovery. What a precious tribute to a wonderful, Godly man. You are blessed to have him as your daddy.

MacMui Mom said...

What a sweet and tender post. We will keep your dad in our prayers. What a blessing that he got to the hospital when he did and they were able to correct the problem quickly. Love the photos as always.

In love and prayer,

Lisa R

Jboo said...

What a sweet post! I'm so glad your Dad got through surgery so well. Will be keeping him and your family in my prayers.

Janet

Gail said...

What a beautiful and heartfelt post. And what a wonderful Dad you have... he is in my prayers to continue to recover fully. Please take care of yourself too.

:) Gail

3 Peanuts said...

I am so thrilled that he is okay! Your Dad sounds like an amazing man. Really. You are so lucky. I have not been so lucky and have never known some of the things you describe that you got from him. you are blessed. I will pray at he continue to recover well.

Kim

Missy said...

I'm in tears. What a lovely tribute to your precious daddy!!! I am so glad God allowed him to be healed and blessed him to have more time with his beautiful family. I will be praying for continued healing! Hugs!

Kristi said...

So thankful for you and your family that your Daddy is recovering nicely. Love the pictures of your girls with their Grandpa - so precious!

The Byrd's Nest said...

Wow...I already love your Daddy! What wonderful things you have said about him. How thankful I am that God showed His presence in this scary situation and had His hand on him the entire time.
Love you.....

Lori said...

Heather, what a great "Daddy" you have and I know that YOU KNOW that you are so blessed. I am thankful for the doctors helping him out and I will add him to my prayers for a healthy and recovery.

Football and Fried Rice said...

Praise the Lord!! Here's to a quick recovery! Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories so far!

Shelly and Family said...

Praying that your Dad has a speedy recovery and praying for you too.

Sharon Sloan said...

Heather, this is a beautiful tribute to your dad. God is so gracious to give you an earthly father who so wonderfully reflects our perfect Heavenly Father.

We are so thankful he is going to be OK! Will continue to pray for him and Ruthie! :)

See you later at 100th Day -- I am linking over to you today. :)

prechrswife said...

Sweet post, and I hope your dad is feeling well very soon!

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful post about your Dad! Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Jen

Michelle R Photography said...

Heather,
I'm so sorry that this happened to your Dad, but so thankful to hear that he is recovering well from surgery. Quick thinking on their part to head to the hospital instead of thinking it was something that would pass. Praise the Lord!! What a special post for him to read. He sounds like a very special man. I pray that you will have many more bullet points and memories to add of your father!

Love,
Michelle

mommy24treasures said...

oh Heather I hear your heart friend. I love my dad so much. The feelings I have for my parents as they grow older are so strong....
I am so thankful to hear he is ok. I pray he recovers quickly.

John & Michelle said...

praying 4 your daddy in Tennessee
love, michelle

Sunnymama said...

Love your blog and your heart for adoption. We just began our adoption journey that God has led us to do! He is so Faithful and Good!

Unknown said...

Heather I'm so sorry your Father was so sick and praising God he is going to be ok! Praying for a speedy recovery and complete healing in Jesus name!

Hugs and love,
Jill

Anonymous said...

heather,

how blessed you are to have each other, you and your precious daddy. I am so glad he is recovering well~

JoJo said...

What a wonderful tribute to your father. He sounds like a wonderful man that has time left to do wonderful things.

redmaryjanes said...

Hi there, I just signed on to follow your blog. I lost some of my blogs when I moved over to the new way of tracking, but I'm so glad I'm on here now.
Well, I am so glad your father is doing well and it wasn't a heart attack. You are blessed to have such a wonderful Dad.

Kristy said...

Heather what an awesome Daddy. I too have one of those fellas and I call him Daddy too and he is also my Hero. SO BLESSED.

Love and blessings, Kristy

Music


 
© Welcome to Our Little Ladybugs!
CoffeeShop Designs