For my Daddy

Thank you Daddy for fixing my bike chain for the 100th time, even though you were busy making extra money for our family, for stopping in the midst of plowing your garden, to give me a good-bye kiss as I left for church camp for the week and for taking me to church so that I could learn about God and be saved. Thank you Daddy for burying my cats, dogs, and for the little service you always gave them as I cried my eyes out. For showing Michael and I that we can raise our own meat and kill it, and no matter how much we cried about losing Osco the pig, we ate good that winter. Thank you Daddy for stopping the truck at the end of the driveway so Michael and I could hop on and catch a ride 2 car lengths to the house. Thank you Daddy for not yelling at me for screaming every time we have a big thunder. It takes a caring man to assure a child in the midst of a dangerous storm. Thank you Daddy for working long hours and coming home and working in the garden until dark so that we would have food for the winter. Thank you Daddy for teaching me how to fish and having patience with me as I learned to bait my own hook. Thank you Daddy for always getting the granddaddy's from over the door way. Thank you Daddy for teaching me how to change the oil in my car, how to use my pantyhose as a fan belt if necessary, so that mechanic’s would not take advantage of me in later years. For showing me that air goes in the tires and water in the radiator, and not the other way around. Thank you Daddy for being there when I graduated, when I married, when Brent, Brad and Jessica were born. For stepping in when their own father wouldn’t and teaching them all of the same things you taught me. I can never repay you for all that you have done. But I know that God can and will and I am satisfied that you know you always did your best and we know that too.