Father of the Year

[Marblez]

This is likely the longest post that I have ever written, but I would like to tell you all about my dad.

He is the most wonderful caring man on the face of the earth. I only hope that I can raise my son to be half the man that he is.

When my mom was sick with MS, she went through a long process of giving up on life and looking forward to being with God. She had become housebound and then bedridden. My father did everything he could to be with her and to give her everything she needed and wanted. He even took a 2 year hiatus from the service business that they had built and probably spent all the retirement money he had set aside in order to be home for her and be her nurse 24x7.

During this time, my mother became very religious and as her mind was starting to fail (sorry mom) she would hallucinate. She would yell, scream and cry for him to leave her alone, he was "the devil" and she would rebuke him. Still he fed her, clothed her, he would carry her to the bathroom when she needed and clean her up when the timing was off. His life was not his, she was in control even though her demands were not even close to sane. He continued to love her and was there for her every second.

She has since passed and he has gone back to work. Resuming a bit of normalcy and finding things in life that he enjoys. Things that perhaps my mom may not have found interest in, but this is his time. Well deserved.

We were a bit afraid what would happen with my mothers family, whom I am very fond of, but definitely have their quirks. Would we still be in touch as much, is he going to seperate himself like he could so easily do and for which so few would blame him? He didn't, in fact, he hosted at least 2 family picnics at his house for my mothers side last summer and was the sole benefactor for the more than 20 children's presents at the family christmas. It is not all about the money either, he even cooked one of the turkeys himself.

He has found a nice woman, Candace, who we all are very fond of. Candace is a widow as well. Her husband had contracted a foodborne illness and passed avay 5 years ago. She is now the single mother of a 7 year old daughter with Downs Syndrome.

Candace works retail management and has odd hours at times, to be expected. There is my dad to pick up her daughter from school and take care of her when Candace is unable to control her schedule. Though he still has a business to run, he shows constantly how reliable and wonderful he truly is.

My sister works for my dad at his shop. There are 2 offices, a kitchen and a front reception area along with a warehouse in back. Ever since the birth of my niece and subsequent birth of my son, he has dedicated the much larger of the two offices as a nursery that the kids can play in while my sister (and often he) works there in the front. This room has been mostly vacant since my niece started kindergarten this year but since my sister was expecting her 2nd child his interest in renewing the nursery has peaked. He even plans to paint the large room in primary colors with a rainbow circling all 4 walls.

Whenever I visit or my son is staying at the shop or at his house for the day or evening, I am hard pressed to not stay for a home/shop cooked meal, often including homemade bread (by hand, not machine) or some other large prep, made from scratch, food like apple pie, roast beef or even homemade pizza. Often on a Wednesday or Thursday and with no notice. This is for whoever is there. I don't think even his employees ever have to bring a lunch.

Beyond all of this, he is ALWAYS there when I need him or just plain help. My car has been breaking down a lot recently and he loaned me his 95 Aerostar, he was trying to sell it anyway and had a new vehicle. When I approached him about buying it, he gave it to me. Said he didn't want anything for it.

Well, the Aerostar is not doing too well either these days. I had been praying that one of the 2 vehicles would last me until spring so that I could have enough money saved up for a decent, albeit very small, new car. Well, my hopes for both of these vehicles were dashed this morning as I was stranded at home, unable to get either to start. Well a last ditch effort did finally work for the Aerostar and I arrived at work an hour and a half late.

On my ride home, I had a call from my dad. He wants to know how much I can afford for insurance and car payment. He knows that these cars won't last me until I have the ability to buy something new and even then, my credit may not bear it. He offers to take me to the dealership Monday and lease a car through his business, for me, as long as I make the payments and insurance. How could I turn it down? I am feeling completely broken at this time.

It was all I could do to thank him and cry. I told him that I know that he has done more than anyone should expect and that I truly do not take him for granted. If only he could know how grateful I am to him. He tells me then to take care while driving home, he knows the roads are bad in this snowstorm and he will see me Monday if not sooner.

Quite honestly, I wish there was some real way to pay him back for how wonderful he has always been.

[Mystica Maven]

Marblez is quite correct in everything she says about her Dad, I would know being her mother's sister - her father was the best thing to ever happen to my sister and he has had to put up with more than his share of bull from my family. Not only did he love and care for my sister in her ailing years, he took myself and my other sis, and two lil bro's in when they had only been married a short time, while caring for his own 3 children and wife.

Marblez, you have a great fortune in your life and your Father has now a wonderful second chance to be loved as much as your mother loved him, he deserves every happiness in this life and beyond, he would blush to death if he knew you had written this, so I won't tell him if you don't.

Luv ya Brat.

[Brenda Starrr]

Aww!

Hugs to you both.

[fallennon]

He sounds like a wonderful person.

[Lilith]

your father is a great man and i do mean a great MAN. I feel that as long as he knows you love him and support him in all his endevors he sees that as his repyment not tht he expects any. You both have been very blessed.

[DisturbedMania]

Wow! I hope your son grows up to be just like your dad.

[Onyx]

That was wonderful and amazing to read.

[Marblez]

Thanks everyone. I have been thinking of what could be done to show him that I do not take him for granted. Aside of course from getting myself to where I don't need any help anymore - I know that is his goal, a big one of mine too.

Maybe I should call OPRAH!