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Fathers: more importantly...my father

  Since my brother died, I have not celebrated father's day as I once did. These days it consists of wishing my father an almost shy "happy father's day" and moving on. My father, not one for bit to-dos, probably understands. In fact, he may welcome it. But, I feel that most times I don't recognize enough the man he is. Let me tell you about my father:
  At 29, he married my mother after a failed marriage of 6 years. He had my brother at 33, and me at 37 (if my math is correct.) My father, a hard-working, non-garish, different type of man. On the outside, to the rest of the world he can seem like an obtuse object of humanness, until they get to know him. To the rest of the world he can seem like not much matters other than being respected, until they get to know him.
  That's the thing: my father is a guidepost. He has always and will forever be a great father. He is someone that is a constant, and when the world gets a glimpse inside the man that I see, they are awed. I am blessed with this man as my dad. I am blessed that from the moment he became a father, he was a good one. Wait, no...a great one.
  Not one moment, in my entire life, have I ever wondered if he loved me. Not a day would go by, that he didn't tell me he loved me. Not a thought would ever pass through my mind that he was not proud of me. For this I am blessed.
  Today, on FaceBook, I saw many a post of those who were wishing their husbands, fathers, grandfathers, nephews, sons-in-law, and other relatives a "happy father's day." What struck me were the posts that I saw of people who no longer get to wish their father's this day's blessing. A friend just recently lost his father, and other dear friends who no longer have one this side of eternity kept my heart full of sorrow and thankfulness. I wish them peace today. I wish them comfort. I wish them good memories.
  To my own father: thank you. Thank you for you. Thank you for being the man who you knew I needed as a father. Thank you for not once making me question your love. Thank you for becoming the man God has intended for you. I know that if Andy were here he would echo my words with a heart full of love.
  To those who are fathers: Be thankful. May God bless you today and forever.
  To those who's fathers are no longer walking this earth: Peace to you. Just undeniable peace.
  To those fathers who wear the collar: I am enraptured by you and your answer to the call. Thank you.

Dad, I love you more than could every hope to say. I hope that I have given you a small piece of the love you have never failed to show me. Thank you for the you inside of me. Lover!

Dad: Get good rest
Me: Okay, you too.
Dad: Okay, thank you.
Me: uh-huh...*

*Said almost every night of my whole life.


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