My Daddy Is 78 years Young Today! Isn’t He Wonderful?
The Chief Blonde (right corner) watches her mom, daughter, and dad being captured in Christmas memories
I am One of the Lucky Ones, My Dad is A Rock
I know you were not all as fortunate to have a dad like mine. He is forever tall (6’4″), handsome and strong in my mind. He worked very hard all his life as an excavator and land developer. But the thing that I love most about my dad is that he was always, always there. When times were rough, he stayed, dug in and dug us and himself out. He is wonderful, everything you would want in a earthly father. EVERYTHING!
He Reads my Blog Every Day
Now I know my dad reading my blog every day may not seem like a major thing to you, but it means the world to me. When I had only a handful of readers, my dad (and my mom) read my blog every single day. He still does. My dad is NOT a Woman over 45, but he desires to be involved in my life. He knows I am involved in my blog, so he meets me right where I am, at my blog. Whenever I see him, he talks to me about things I have written. I know that he (and my mom) show my blog to their friends. Can I get a big…AWWWWWW!
He Gave Me my First Job
Before I could get a real job (like McDonald’s), I wanted to work, but I was too young. My dad needed a flag person on his job site, so every day for two months one summer, I would ride to work with him and be his flag person/raker/or whatever else he needed done. I can imagine I wasn’t too great at what I did (not being a huge lover of the outdoors) but he had faith in me and never ever said I wasn’t enough. He believed in me and gave me the greatest gift…self confidence.
He Called Me Every day! Men who Chose to Stay
When my husband left me in Switzerland with two tiny children, my father called me long distance, overseas, EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. He listened to me weep, and rant, and rage, and weep some more. He bore my burdens when I could not. He lifted me up when I was so far down, there didn’t seem any lower that I could go. I know he was there to be God’s servant on earth and he represented God well. My dad applied his “Daddy Band-aids” to my heart and made me realize that not all men LEAVE. There are some men who chose to stay. Some men chose to be there ALWAYS!
He was Always There for my Children
The Chief Blonde’s mom and dad with the Chief Blonde’s son and daughter when the kids were very young
My dad has always stood in the gap and been a male role model for my children. They didn’t always have their real dad available for that role and they didn’t always accept their stepdad in that role. Yet Grandpa could be and was that guy! He (and my mom) went to everything that Ben and Kelly did when growing up from Black Belt ceremonies to dance recitals to award events. He was there in the front row applauding and usually shedding a few tears (cuz he’s like that too!) Even today, my dad acts like a true male role model for my kids. He recently helped my son install a brand new engine in his car. My daughter is in Los Angeles this summer and he calls her every single day (just for 5 minutes, just to check in.)
So Happy Birthday, Daddy! I Know You Are Reading This!
Thanks to my dad who…
- Is everything a daughter could want in a dad…EVERYTHING
- Reads my blog every day and meets me right where I am
- Gave me the greatest gift…Self-confidence
- Chose to stay and BE THERE
- Loved my children as if they were his own and served as a role model to us all
My dad and his grandkids 20 years ago on his 58 birthday!
What birthday wish would you wish your DAD?
What a beautiful post. It makes me love your dad too! What an amazing man! And a powerful rock! He deserves all the praise ever you could give him! Thank you Chief Blondes Dad for being such a great man!
Oh my, I WISH my father read my blog once a month, let alone each post- You are so lucky to have a father that is so supportive and interested in your life, even as a grown woman. And what a beautiful family you have! It’s also so amazing that he could support you when you had issues within your own family, and provided a great role model for your children. It’s rare to find men who are strong inside and out!
It sounds like you had a wonderful. How horrible to be left in a foreign country! I am glad that your dad was a shoulder to cry on.
My dad passed away many years ago, so cherish yours while you still have him. I don’t think I have to tell you that. 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your beautiful post. You are blessed to have such a terrific Dad (and Mom too). I hope his birthday is super with many happy moments!
My Dad was my hero since I was a little girl until he joined my beautiful Mom in heaven just before his 90th birthday.
Happy Birthday to your father. He sounds like an amazing dad.
I would wish one more birthday here with my brothers and me for my father. He hasn’t met all of his grandchildren.
Your post made my heart warm. My daddy wasn’t like that, but I think it’s great that there are some who are. My husband is like your dad—the kind of man who watches out for his family at all times.
What a great Dad. I am not sure what birthday wish I would wish my Dad except a whole bunch more!
It sounds as though you have a wonderful dad. He is truly a model for all men who want to stay involved in their children’s lives no matter their ages. I just wish that I could say the same about my father but I just don’t know. My mother was very much a hippy and had NO idea who my father even was. So he could have been the type to be there or the type to leave. Who knows.
Beautiful post Shelley! What a wonderful daddy!! I need to be more thoughtful of my dear dad…not sure what I’ll wish him this year…
Wow, your dad is amazing! What a beautiful tribute to his birthday, and the man and dad he is. All dads should be like this!
My dad died several years ago, but had actually left many years before he passed. I found out through another relative of his passing.
Luckily my husband is a great dad. It is so refreshing to see how wonderful a relationship can be between a child and their dad.
Happy Birthday to the Chief Blonde’s Dad! I hope you have an amazing day!
So sweet. My father turns 70 this year, I hope he makes it to at least 78+ Great photos for a walk down memory lane.
You are very lucky that your dad is still around and even reads your blog.
Happy birthday to your Daddy!
awww happy birthday to him! what a great post for him!
Happy Birthday to your Dad!!
Shelley: Your Dad sounds absolutely amazing–supportive, caring, concerned, and involved. What a true blessing you have in your father.
Happy Birthday to the chief blonde’s dad! You rock! And so does your daughter by the way 😉
How blessed you are to have such a great Daddy! It’s especially wonderful that you totally KNOW it, and appreciate it for the somewhat rare blessing it is. This actually made me a little teary…but in a really good way. 😉
Happy Birthday to your wonderful father!! Since you might be reading this, THANK YOU for doing such a good job at one of the hardest but most important jobs on Earth!
I know you made your Dad especially proud today! I can just see the gleam in his eyes as he is reading what you wrote. He does indeed sound like a very special and loving father. Wish him the Happiest of Birthdays from me too!
Happy Birthday!
Hello, If Dad is reading this, I hope you have had a lovely birthday!! Happy Birthday!
Wow, what a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I don’t have mine, he’s already in heaven. Yet, there are men who don’t leave, even when the going gets tough. Your Dad sounds very caring and concerned about all of his family. Wish more were now a days, and a little less ‘Me, Me, I, I’ in their attitudes. Yet, you can be pretty sure if they weren’t raised with that attitude they wouldn’t grow up with it. Here’s to all the Dad’s out there that know and accept their responsibilities of their families, wife, children, with love and compassionate caring. These are the real men.