Dad's Dia

Dear Dad,

You’d like all the ‘¡Feliz Dia, Papá!’ window displays I’ve been seeing lately around. Because the World Cup is in full swing, they’re mostly blue and white, and have phrases like ‘Alentá a tu papá’ (cheer your dad on). Since this is the first Father’s Day I won’t get to spend with you, I guess I’ll have to cheer you on from Argentina!

So here’s a stadium-sized gracias for all you are and do…

For being there. The older I get, the more I realize that having a dad who was physically, relationally, and emotionally around my growing up years is a pretty rare gift.

For working and playing with me. Letting me climb on your back and bucking me off can’t have been the first thing you wanted to do after long patrol days, but you did anyways. You taught me how to fill a full bucket of weeds, lay tile, throw a near-perfect spiral, and other essential life skills. I’m not sure how much “help” I was in my early days of home remodeling and hiking, but thanks for inviting me to tag along.

For relating to me. Not sure if you’ve noticed that you have a female and younger version of yourself roaming the world, but we’re pretty similar. Thanks for being my back/foot massage buddy, the other half of team tall, an equally hard head I can butt my stubborn noggin against, and an excellent companion in adventure. (Why should we climb it? Because it’s there!)

For having confidence in me. Thanks for passing on the “Pearson women (and men) can do anything” mentality, and for trusting me with big things even when I wasn’t sure I was ready for them. Like backing an OSP pickup with a boat trailer…or going to Argentina this year.

For loving me and showing me a picture of God’s love: a love that

            Disciplines

            Affirms

            Delights

…and so much more, but the acronym works best with three letters. Thank you for saying and showing me that you love me in so many words and so many ways.

I love you!

Love, Jill