Dad

Okay, everyone has done a Father's Day post except me. So here it is.

This is a pic of my mom and dad at Anthony's boot camp graduation in San Diego.

I tell everyone that I have the World's Greatest Parents and I honestly believe that. My parents are soooo cool!!

They got married in 1959 and have had 4 kids. We've caused them a lot of stress, but through it all, they have kept their sense of humor about everything.

My dad grew up in a small town in Idaho working on the family farm and playing football. He probably would have been given a scholarship for football except he blew out his knee. So much for that career.

He went to college at the University of Puget Sound in Washington. While going home for holidays, he bumped into a woman in the Portland bus depot (literally bumped into her...dumped her purse all over the floor!). Four months later they were married.

My dad had several jobs in his young life, but at some point, he received a higher calling...He became a minister.

He was a minister all through my school years. At one point, he even went back to school and got his Doctorate in Theology. That really impressed me. I was in junior high then. It had a big impact on what I thought he wanted from me.

When I was 16, I got pregnant. I didn't want to tell my parents, but I did. And instead of blowing a gasket and calling me a loser of all kinds, they looked sad and then said they would support whatever decision I made. It was a real shock. Then I realized that is what they had always done...guided, but not criticized. (btw, I released her for adoption...she has become a beautiful young woman, but that is another story!)

After I graduated high school, I went to college for one semester and flunked out (it was more fun to drink). I then moved back to my hometown in Oregon and played at being a disc jockey. Dad came to see me one day (they lived in New York then) and started asking what I was going to do with my life. It is the only time I can remember him pushing me about anything.

I finally got sick of it and the next time he asked, I explained I had just joined the Navy and I was leaving the next morning for boot camp. He just sat there - stunned, I think.

He wouldn't let me take the train or bus to Portland for processing, he drove me himself. I think he was quite proud of me at that point. When I graduated from boot camp, I can still remember the pride on their faces.

My dad eventually left the ministry. He wasn't burned out on being a minister, nor was he disgruntled with God...He simply couldn't stand the politics in the church anymore.

So he learned to program computers. Then he discovered a way to travel from place to place all over the country helping smaller churches get organized. I think that was his true calling. He has helped churches all over the US get organized and get started.

Now my dad is very sick. He had his first bypass when he was 49. He is now 66. He has had several bypasses and at least 24 angioplasties. He also has borderline Diabetes including neuropathy. And lots of problems with his back and neck probably from football.

I am very proud to call this man my dad. He has been a true hero to me and to my kids.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.