Since it is close to Father’s Day, my daughter, Bobbie, asked to be a guest blogger. I hope you enjoy some of her memories of growing up with a dad like me:

"As Father’s Day approaches, I wanted to share some things with you about my dad. I know it is a little cheesy to post something mushy on a sentimental holiday, but he is my dad, so please bear with me...

As I was growing up, I always wanted to be like my dad. In my world my dad could do anything, fix anything and find a solution to any problem. I remember he used to do silly things like put Kleenex boxes on his feet and ask me if his shoes looked boxy. Once, when I was at the table doing my homework, he came running into the kitchen asking where the dried rice was. He grabbed a handful and started putting it in his hair. I just sat there dumbfounded. When my mom walked in, he said, “Kathy, check my hair. The school sent a note home to check the kids’ hair because head “rice” is going around. I think I have it.” Needless to say, there was rice in his hair.

I remember when I was getting ready to turn 16 there was an old Mercury Capri for sale on Main Street in Smithton. We would drive by it and I would talk about wanting to buy it for my first car. One day we drove by and it was gone. I asked my dad about it and he said that they were probably getting it gassed up so we could look at it. That Mercury Capri ended up being my first car. My dad and I spent hours working on that car. We painted it white and put a stereo system in it.

I worked with my dad on a lot of home improvement projects when I was younger. I sometimes wondered if he was just taking advantage of child labor. But now, as a parent myself, I look back and see the wisdom in the things my dad did. When we were painting the car or remodeling the lawn mower we worked together for hours and all that time we would talk - about life, God, my friendships, boys that I liked, you name it, we talked about it. I realize he was teaching me and helping me learn to be a Godly person. He didn’t always tell me what I wanted to hear or let me have my way. Sometimes he challenged me to be more than I thought I could be and for that I am forever grateful.

Thank you Dad, for all that you have taught me. I am so proud of you and I am proud to be your daughter. Happy Father’s Day."

-Bobbie