What I Inherited from my Dad

I was told once that when I was born my dad cried because he was afraid I had inherited all his flaws. 
Well let's see . . .

I have a lazy eye - from my father's side of the family. That means at times I can look at someone and they have no idea I'm actually looking at them. I love playing tricks on people using my lazy eye. So that's not a flaw.

I have a hearing disability - so does my dad. The best thing ever is not being able to hear someone yell at me or give me instructions. I have a genuine excuse - "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." So that's not a flaw.

I had to have braces on my teeth - teeth I inherited from my dad. Braces where cool. Everyone wore them. So that's not a flaw. 

Instead of my dad's flaws I believe with all my heart I inherited the lessons that he taught me. Like . . .

• He taught me how to throw a baseball. I may throw it like a girl but that's because I am one.
• He taught me how to rake up a pile of leaves and then fall just right so that the leaves fly everywhere.
• He taught me to love football. Just ask my kids & my husband how much I love this sport! Yelling at the TV is the best.
• He taught me to love Christmas. The gifts, the lights, the tree, and having family at home. But most importantly he taught me about that precious baby God sent on that first Christmas night.
• He taught me how to build a snowman. Not just any snowman but the best snowman on the face of the earth!
• He taught me how to sing. Listening to my dad sing and singing with him are some of my best memories as a child.
• He taught me how to love others and encourage others. How? My dad is so gifted in this area! He shows Christ's love to everyone he meets no matter who they are.
• He taught me how to pick the right man to spend my life with by being an incredible example himself. 
• But most importantly he taught me about God and His love for me. Above all, that is the greatest lesson I have ever learned from my dad.

So did I inherited my dad's flaws? Nope! I inherited him, and I thank God everyday that I did. 

Thank you Daddy for your love, support, care, and example.
I love you
Happy Father's Day
Debbie

To my Son on his 20th Birthday

My Dear Sweet Ben

Remember when you crawled around the house with your bottle hanging from your teeth.

Remember when you bounced in your jolly jumper for hours and hours.

Remember when you walked around our couch on your tip toes as you learned to walk on your own. (By the way you still walk on your tip toes!)

Remember when you started school. You were so nervous until you saw your classroom and realized it was the same classroom your sister had been in.

Remember that massive tree fort Opa, Uncle John & your dad made. With a zip line and everything.

Remember the day you tried to run away and you realized that there was no place to go but home. You call it the day "God made you smart"!

Remember climbing the apple tree in our yard. You would climb to the very top and just sit there and contemplate life.

Remember the day you said "I think I need to write my will!"


Remember when you played the bumbling "Tom" in the high school play. Then the next year you went on to play the lead role in Aladdin.

Remember when you began University and carried around your Psychology text book and read it like a novel.

I remember. But most of all, I remember that day 20 years ago when God gave us you. The doctor said "It's a boy" and my first thought was "Thank you God, my family is complete." Throughout the last 20 years you have blessed us with your humour, your deep thoughts, your beautiful singing voice & your intelligence.

I pray that this year God will fill you with so much love and joy that you will be overflowing.

I love you my precious Ben
Happy Birthday
Mom