As I sit here beside my Guy in bed on Father’s Day my
heart swells with Gratitude. Although it is pouring outside here at the
cottage, the doors are open, the sounds of the rain are beautiful and the
family of ducks swim by within our view on the magnificent lake. The kids just
came up to give Daddy his gifts and life is good.
Now all three are in the kitchen preparing breakfast for
Dad (and I!) and we are relaxing with our books and computers and enjoying the leisurely
morning.
Yesterday in the Jacuzzi with Beauty and Bear outside
overlooking the gorgeous mountains and lake we tried out the iPod with the
speakers in the Jacuzzi and it was so much fun. I took a look over at my
Protector enjoying the beat and swaying to it with his daughter’s smile and his
together…and though how very grateful I am to have this family. This Man.
I know how the above sounds too good to be true. But it
is not. It is my life. And although I know it sounds weird to say it as such…it
is pretty darn good. Yes it has many many many many moments of uncertainty and
hardship and stress. But we are a family united…three healthy kids..Married 17
yrs this summer. We have weathered many storms and come out triumphant.
Without bragging too much I have to say I made a damn
good choice in this man 19 years ago. One of my very most important criteria
was “Will this man make an unbelievable Father? “And never for a minute have
had I thought otherwise.
(Must be hard for a guy who originally wanted no children
and a stay at home housevive to have three noisy kids and a wife with a career
that is taking her to Switzerland all week next week on the last week of
school! Hopefully he has adjustedJ
I have added up the years of my children’s ages (15, 13,
11) and write therefore 39 things that make this man wonderful as a Father. The
little things and the big things that make this man they type of person you
want as your Dad.
1-He is unselfish in every way always wants to give
before he receives
2-He willingly without complaining changed every single poopy
diaper of all three anytime he was home
3-Each one that was born he loved instantly..we have a
picture not planned or posed with each baby in his arms..his eyes closed in joy…..loving
them so deeply and instantaneously. My three favorite pictures ever.
4-He became the Father he is now…it was not something he
was necessarily always good at or wanted…he grew into the role out of pure love
5-When Chase was a little baby he used to take him with
him to Reno Depot to get cute 20 yr old girls to flirt with him more
6-With Bear he told me the moment he came home from the hospital
“this is the one that will take care of us when we are older”
7-With Beauty he called his proud Father on the phone
bragging about getting his long awaited daughter. And he cried
8-With Chase he became everything he had in his heart
9-He is the BEST cook in the world truly. It is honestly
like having a five star chef in the house. We eat like kings and queens.
10-He loves cooking
11-He listens to music and dances when he cooks and loves
having the kids cooking with him and teaching them everything he knows
12-He is the most handy person in the universe. Plumbing
, electricity, ANYTHING. Again he loves doing this-it is his passion. I
actually have to STOP him from fixing things and cooking or he would do this in
life and nothing else
13-He is the smartest person alive and never brags about
it. Did you know he won the award for top law student in all of Quebec and did
not tell me!!!!! I found an old newspaper clipping with his photo in the paper
one day in the basement
14-He has always cleaned up the kids puke. I have never
touched it
15-He patiently tests them all on their homework after
long days at the office
16-He works very very very hard to support his family and
provide a good life for us
17-He balances home and work very well (aka as 2 nights
super late at office, 3 nights home at dinner time and weekends only for us
with no work)
18-He has never ever missed an important event of the
kids
19-He puts family first always
20-He loves his three children with a full and kind heart
21-He takes a lot of crap from his kids and always
forgives them
22-He is extremely patient with all of us
23-He is the picture of a classy Dad from the clothes, to
the car, to the savvy, to the conversations with their friends. He is a Dad you
want to show off
24-He always always takes the time to get to know the kid’s
friends and include them
25-He grows as a Father every year and always takes
feedback seriously and grows in the direction of changing if needed
26-He golfs with the kids and loves it
27-He has driven them around on boats millions and
millions and millions of times since they were little and taught each to
waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard and every other water sport under the sun. He
taught them all on “a porte d’armoire” (a closet door)
28-He has taught kids the importance of learning and
school and higher education. When I look at our kids today and what they are
capable of..and the way they can study an entire weekend..the way they can do
what they do at the type of school they attend…I owe this all to my husband
29-He is an amazing example to the kids in so many areas
30-He shows the kids that there is life outside of our
own family. To be a good Uncle, a good friend, a good son-in law, a good
brother. He teaches them each step as he learns too…and shares this
31-Did I mention he is an amazing cook for them?
32-He takes them to the driving range on a day he can
choose to do anything
33-He never ever gives up
34-He is so capable
it is unbelievable. Scary.
35-He just acquired and now owns his own office and decorated
it all by himself and made this huge move happen. He has involved the kids so
much and engaged them along the way they now feel it is theirs too.
36-He loves it when Beauty stops by on her bike at the
office with a friend on her way home
37-He loves the hugs and kisses that Chase showers on him
when he is in a good mood
38-He loves how Bear is like him in so many ways and will
become a wonderful man
39-Honestly without him……….I can’t even begin to think
about it for my kids
One extra: My kids won the lottery with this man as their
Dad. This role in life belongs to him
Happy Fathers Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love, love love that we have been in this together
since the very beginning. The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. We grew these three beautiful and crazy babies
into what they are today together. We did this! Together! We have grown them,
and loved them and cherished them. We did this Hon!!!
And nothing in the whole wide world world will make me prouder
one day than to see you dance with your daughter at her wedding, or walk these
babies down the aisle with you or sideways glance your way when I dance with my
sons at their weddings. You will always always be in my heart…no matter what…..
first and foremost the father of my children. And for this I am eternally grateful
to you from the very bottom of my heart.
With love on Fathers; s Day
Bebe/Hon/Sweetie/Pookie Bear
PS A little note to my own Dad today-gone two years. I
sometimes get this warm and nice feeling that you are looking down upon me and
taking care of me. Often in a way in death that maybe you were not able to
fully provide me in life. Whatever the feeling is ..I am glad I have arrived at
it and that it is there. Pls continue to take care of my family and Mom’s
health. Pls make sure my health and my life works out ok? That it is all fine?
Thank you Dad
PSS-Another angel in heaven to thank is Grandpapa Max. We
feel you and your strong values in many of the ways we choose to raise our
children….the strong academic standards, the respect for rules, the cottage and
love of nature. I know that you are looking down on your son so very proud of
the way he has kept your grandchildren all together in the extended family. He
did this….and in an amazing and loving way. He is taking care of them for you.
Always.
PSS-and to my Grampy2 who was in many ways very much my
own Father at various parts of my life. I loved everything about you and I miss
you dearly. Each time my kids say a swear works or “Jesus Christ!!!” instead of
getting mad I think of you and smile. I loved every little part of you. And
mostly I loved the way you loved me.
