My father is a person who I've always been able to talk to. Even if all I need is someone to gripe to, Dad was there to listen to my complaints. If I needed advice, he was there for me for that, too. And if I wanted to learn something new - well, Dad could go on for hours if he was teaching something. As a Papa, he's the grandpa that throws the kids high in the air (to the horror of onlookers) and gives shoulder rides. He's the one that will play Red Light/Green Light or Mother May I with the kids. My dad always believed in us, even when others didn't. My dad never once discouraged me from trying my hand at writing. If you talk to him about his children or his grandchildren, you can visibly see the pride that he has in each one of us and he celebrates our different strengths.
This was the first year that I didn't buy a card for my Grandpa Larsen. I shared in a previous blog post that my grandpa passed away in January of this year. Realizing that I wouldn't be buying him a card this year brought back some of that sadness all over again, but then I realized that he was spending Father's Day with his Heavenly Father and I know that for my grandpa that's the best gift ever! I can picture him sitting at the Father's feet, not saying much, because my grandpa was a soft-spoken man, but just absorbing everything that was being said.
My Grandpa Smith is a firm believer in love being an action word. He would pick me up from preschool in the church bus just because I liked to sit in the very back row. When he'd pick me up from high school he'd bring a soda or give rides to my friends. One time I mentioned that I needed to take my car in for emissions and the next day my grandpa showed up at my house and took my car through emissions for me. Grandpa also shows his love by teasing. He always tells us that he only teases the people he loves. He loves to get the grandkids all riled up and they quickly learn to give it right back to him, which just tickles him even more.
Joel has been such a a wonderful father to our kids and I'm so glad that I have him by my side as we parent together. He's patient with the kids while they are learning new skills while I tend to get frustrated with them. He stands beside me on decisions we've made together or backs me up when I make a decision on my own. He takes part in the discipline of our kids so that I'm not always the "bad guy". He loves to spend time with our kids one on one so he'll take them out and do things with each one like miniature golfing, go to the movies or bowling. I think some of his favorite moments are the times we're all piled on the couch together watching a movie or when we have a family game night. He teaches the kids by actions as well as words. I have been so blessed watching him interact with our children and I know that a big part of why they are such wonderful children is that they have a wonderful father who loves them and guides them.
When I married Joel, I also got a special father-in-law. He has the same belief in love being an action word as my Grandpa Smith. I don't know how many times he's come over and done yard work for us or helped with a home improvement project. He's quiet, but has a great sense of humor. He demonstrates to his children and his grandchildren what a good work ethic is and what it means to have a servant's heart. His work was often done quietly and without notice, but that never mattered because he was serving his Lord and didn't need recognition for it.
Without these men my life would be so different. Without my dad, I wouldn't know random information (particularly about history and science) or have had someone who I could talk to when there wasn't anyone else. I may not even had tried writing, afraid of what might happen, without his encouragement. Without my Grandpa Larsen, I wouldn't have learned the importance of being able to sit quietly at times. Without my Grandpa Smith, well life would have been a lot more boring without his teasing and I wouldn't have seen how love can be an action. Without Joel, I wouldn't have my kids for one thing, but even if I did, I know that my kids have benefited from having him in their lives. I know that I am a better mother with him at my side. My father-in-law raised a wonderful son and I am forever thankful for that, but he also shows my kids what a servant's heart looks like. These men have many traits that overlap, but the single trait that they all share is that they love the Lord and want to serve Him with all their hearts.
