Dear Dad,
When you would come home from work in your head to toe sweat covered clothes, I would not want to hug and kiss you to welcome you home. I would however ask for money, and when you took your wallet out, it was soaked through with sweat. So soaked, that the money you would give me would be totally watered down and wilted with sweat. You would always jokingly try to give me a dollar first, and then finally a 20.00 bill. I took it happily and went on with my evening. It was only really as an adult that I truly knew what that all meant.
You worked your soul to the core for Mom, Kara and I and you NEVER waivered. You never complained. You demanded we respect our Mother and you both worked as a team to raise us. I have so many wonderful memories. You were always present.
You would buy old cars and restore them, or you would be in the barn wit the forklift, or in the yard with the tractor. You could make anything, build anything, fix anything. You would make garden beds and grow fresh vegetables for us we were so excited to harvest. I remember a distinct time we were uprooting the carrots. We were so excited because we had what we thought was a huge carrot. Very wide looking with a tall stem. When we pulled it from the ground it was only about an inch long. We looked at each other and laughed. Not what we expected. It was ok because we also had fresh tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, squash, radishes, and chives to name a few.
Thank you for teaching me how to use a table saw, a miter saw, an air compressor and a drill. All very important skills for a girl to know. Thank you for teaching us patience, kindness and goodness and living by those lessons.
You also taught me how to play pool, cards and ride a bike. I was scared to ride that bike but you did not let me fall. You never let Kara or I fall or fail. I am convinced I can do anything in this world and nothing can stop me because of you and Mom.
Whenever I needed your help, you were there. Every single time. You have left me with so many wonderful gifts developed by a lifetime of love. Your love and goodness will live on through us everyday.
You were the perfect Father and Grandfather. I never wished you were richer, or smarter, or anything other than who you were. You were the greatest man I have ever known.
