I am not the kind of person to take many dates to heart. On Father's Day I take the time to celebrate the man who is in my life, my Grandpa, and take time to remember the amazing Daddy that was in my life for 6 years. If many of you are reading this, you've probably already seen my status on Facebook about my Dad. I go through phases with my grief, as anyone who has experienced any level of death will do throughout their life. As I am going through this difficult time in my life in terms of heart break from a relationship (which this is all I am going to say about that out of respect to those involved), I feel lonely as many of my friends are spending their summers in Athens, and I really miss my dad. One thing, though, that I have enjoyed so much is getting to spend a lot of time with my grandpa, or "G" as many of you know him by.
Talk about an amazing man! I pray I make it to 90 and look as great as he does. In his 90 years he has fought in a war, owned his own restaurant, lost a child, had two beautiful daughters, lost his parents and sister, and most importantly, he has lost the love of his life and wife of 59 years. A few months ago, he broke his tail bone and has been in a lot of pain and is trying to rebuild his strength as an injury like that can only heal itself. However, I love getting to watch his eyes twinkle when someone tells a good joke. I don't think I've ever taken the time to truly think about all of the wisdom he has. I have so enjoyed getting to eat breakfast with him every morning (as we both don't make it to the breakfast table until 11am!) Although Grandpa has experienced a lot of heart ache, he still has his sense of humor. Just a few days ago I realized how much I am like G Money. I get my Irish "hot-headedness" from him, my stubborn mentality, opinionated personality, corny sense of humor, and dashing good looks (just kidding, but hey, he IS darn handsome : ]). Recently he has shared a lot of his wisdom with me about money, relationships, education, and children. He enjoys making fun of my TV show selections, and always feels free to add his input, especially about how stupid girls are to spend $10,000 on a wedding dress on Say Yes to the Dress, but hey, he's practical. When my grandparents moved in to help my mom when I was 8, I had no idea I would have such a wonderful relationship with Grandpa. He has been such an amazing male role model. There are so many statistics about what a girl who grows up without a dad will be like, and I am proud that I am none of those things. I got to experience an amazing father for my first 6 years, and for the last 12 years I've had an amazing grandpa serve as a surrogate father. Perhaps what I appreciate the most is that he never tried to be my dad. He kept his role as a grandpa by spoiling me rotten, offering advice when I didn't want it, correcting my tantrums, and loving me unconditionally. Without him I would not be who I am today. He brings so much joy to my life, and I am so grateful for him.
I am also grateful for my incredible Heavenly Father on this Father's Day. He has never led me astray, left me, disappointed me, forgotten me, forsaken me; rather He has loved me like no other, shown me His way, taught me about forgiveness, and has given me righteousness.
