Father's Day

The Top Ten Reasons Why My Dad is the Best

#10. He can do ANYTHING, including Taekwondo, operate ham radios, juggle, unicycle, fence, ride his bicycle for hundreds of miles at a time, build RC airplanes, hike anywhere, canoe, rappel, fish, fly kites, yo-yo (is that a verb?), boomerang (I don't know if that's a verb either), devil sticks, that cool ball thing that David Bowie does on Labrynth, and a million other things I can't think of. You name it, he can do it.

#9. He can fix anything. My Dad keeps the power plant running. When he retires, we probably won't have electricity any more. I remember once we were at the theatre at home and the projector broke down, and the owner came into the audience and asked if my dad was there. My dad got up from his seat, fixed the projector in five minutes, and we finished the movie. My mom said something similar happened to him in the temple once. If it's broken, my dad can fix it.

#8. He is spontaneous. My dad will do anything at the drop of a hat. If he gets an idea to do something, no questions asked, he'll go out and do it. He took me on an impromptu trip to the Grand Canyon so we could do our annual hike before I left for college. We nearly died because we weren't in shape for it, but it's one of my favorite memories.

#7. People can count on him for anything. If anything is asked of him, and there is any way that he can accomplish it, he'll do it. If he has to drive across the country to help someone, he'll go.

#6. He gives the best presents ever! I know that sounds very selfish, but it's really special. My dad always gives a lot of thought into every present he gives, and I've never gotten something I couldn't use. Ooh, last Christmas he gave us all these flashlights that don't use batteries. I've used it several times, and it is awfully useful. My dad makes every Christmas and birthday special.

#5. He always has a good story to tell. If you ever talk to him, chances are you'll hear a story. It might not have anything to do with what you were talking about, but it will always be a good one.

#4. He taught me to love reading. I don't remember a time when my dad didn't read to me. We read a fairy tale or part of a book every Sunday until I graduated from high school.

#3. He's always encouraged me to be great. Whether it was a soccer game, a dance recital, or a spelling bee, my dad was always there to encourage me to do and be my best. He's given me the desire to work hard and make and reach goals and give everything I've got in the life I'm living.

#2. He has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have always known where my dad stood with the gospel. He knows we have a loving Heavenly Father, a Savior who redeemed us from our sins, and that we have the ability and potential to go home to them and be made clean from our sins. He knows that our family can be together forever, and that is the most important thing in my life.

#1. My dad loves his family. Really, this and #2 go hand in hand. My dad is the greatest example of the love of Christ and loves my family so much. He loves my Mama and she loves him back. He loves everyone of his children and grandchildren despite all the trouble and worry and grief we have given him. We're so lucky to have him!

Happy Father's Day Daddy, I love you very very much.