My Ordinary Dad

My dad was in the Navy. He was gone 6-8 months out of every two years and when he was home, he wasn’t really “home”.
He never took me to amusement parks. He never taught me to play tennis, baseball, or took me fishing.
My father never bragged to other fathers about how talented I was about anything. He wasn’t there when I made the winning basket at the 12-under basketball league. He wasn’t there when I shot my first and only hole in one. He wasn’t there when I won the district high school tennis championship. He didn’t attend any of my plays.
He never complimented me on the years I made straight A’s. He didn’t take me to the DMV to get my driver’s license. He wasn’t there during my high school graduation ceremony. He wasn’t there when I completed basic training in the Marines. He wasn’t there when my plane landed home from Desert Storm. My dad wasn’t there when I got married, or when each of my children was born.
My father was not a popular sports figure or a handsome actor you see on TV. He never held me over his shoulders when the news people said, “You have just won the Superbowl, what are you gonna do?” We’re going to Disney World”. My father never stood in the stands to encourage me during my first Tennis match. He wasn’t there when I caught a 20-lb catfish. I cried while playing Tchaikovsky during my piano recital because he wasn't there like he promised.
Despite all this, you can ask me if I’m saddened, if I’m bitter, or if I’ve wished that part of my life were different. My answer is no. I didn’t have a miserable childhood. I never needed counseling for his missing my life.
But THIS is what my father did: He cared. He loved. He worked hard. He taught his children to be the same. He loved my mother.
He set his “golden” rules and expected them to be obeyed. If we got out of line, we knew what punishment to expect. Even though he came home late, he would let us know that he missed us. Sure he’s lost his temper, sure I’d wished at times he was somewhere else. But I will never forget the times he held us when we cried. He scolded, but also molded us. And despite the fear we felt around him, we knew that if it came down to it, he would sacrifice his life to save us.
My dad is one-of-a-kind. There are many like him, but this one is mine. I know he’s not perfect. I know there are things about him that could use some improvements…But if I had to choose all over again on the type of father I can have, I would always choose him.

...What am I talking about... My dad IS perfect, much the same way as our Heavenly Father is perfect. He set out His “golden” rules and expected them to be obeyed. If we got out of line, we knew what punishment to expect. Even though we continue to sin, He would let us know that He missed us. Sure it may seem He is never around when we need Him most, but we should remember that He is always there to hold us when we cry.

I love you, Dad. You rock.

Just for you:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31