My Motley Dad

We do a lot of talking about being a mom here at Motley Moms, but today I would like to tell you about my Dad.

Since I have known him, my Dad has been a loving father to my sister and me, a loving husband to my Mom, a provider, a proud and honorable Veteran, our family's genealogist, a craftsman of masonry and wood, a builder, our family's zookeeper (thanks to all of the strays my sister and I brought home over the years), a runner, a scuba diver, a mountain climber, an avid Civil War enthusiast, a musician, and probably a list of things that I don't even know. He is a devoted man of God, and I can remember having "church" in the woods when we went camping in the Smoky Mountains, my Dad officiating in flannel from a weathered tree stump. We've had long conversations about religion, politics, history, 24, and Alias, and he is always there to answer when I have questions about finances, illness, home repair, child rearing...you name it. He's also the one who taught my sister and me to show others respect and to always do our best, and those are qualities that have served us well in our adult lives.

His most recent title is "Papa," (coined by my three-year-old nephew) and he is fitting right into that position. His grandsons adore him and are always eager to go to the barn with him to feed the horses and the fish. I am so grateful that the boys have him as a role model, and if he manages to teach them a fraction of the values he has taught us over the years they will be truly blessed.

Happy Birthday, Dad, and thank you for being such a motley and wonderful influence on my life.

Love,
Your Very Motley Daughter