Father's Day

Thank you, Dad, for not forcing me to eat my peas, for teaching to ride a bike, for coaching me in soccer that one year I went out (though I'm not sure my doing cartwheels and backbends on the field can constitute soccer), for helping to teach me how to drive, for coming to all of my gymnastics meets, for coming to all of my dance recitals, which I know you hated, for cheering me on while I was a cheerleader for football and wrestling in high-school, thank you for not freaking out when I told you I was dating Matt Siders, for walking me down the aisle and giving me away all of those years ago, for fixing things in our house when it breaks, for teaching me how to put in a stick-tile kitchen floor and how to tile a countertop, thanks for walking me through how to unclog a kitchen drain when I lived five hours away. 

Most of all, Dad, thank you for fighting pancreatic cancer so valiantly, for still getting up and going, for coming to your grandson's games when you probably don't feel like it. Thank you for fighting, so, so hard, to be here this Father's Day when so many didn't think you would be. Thanks for showing me how to find courage in scary times, thanks for never wavering in your faith during times that others would stumble, but most of all, thanks for being my dad. I'm so glad we have another Father's Day with you. Love you

Happy Birthday, Dad

When my dad stopped treatment for his pancreatic cancer in December because it wasn't helping, he set a goal to be alive for his 70th birthday. Dad was 68 when he was diagnosed with this cancer and he's fought it for a lot longer than most people ever get the chance to. I am proud to say that today my dad turns 70 and tonight, my boys and I are celebrating with the rest of my family. We know this birthday is extra special and we are so thrilled that Dad set that goal and is here for this big day! Happy Birthday to my dad, so incredibly blessed to be celebrating this day with him

Fighting the Good Fight

Dad has to give his sermons sitting down now, but he's still giving them and for that, I am thankful.  What a fighter this man is.  I'm so proud to be his daughter.

Just Thankful

Today I am simply just thankful for being able to see you tonight, Dad and to eat dinner with you.  While I am almost 100% certain you will not like what I've cooked (you love tuna and noodles, but unfortunately the only type of noodle I cook with is a whole wheat noodle and I am pretty sure you won't eat that.:)  I am still forever thankful just to see you and be with you, if even for a bit.

Thankful for Dad's Healthy Years

Today I am grateful and thankful to have a dad, who until being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago, was never sick.  My dad was the healthiest man I knew, even hiking the Grand Canyon not too long before his diagnosis.  So, while I am so angry that at only 69, my dad's time with us is limited, I must remind myself to be thankful for all of the extremely healthy years my dad had before pancreatic cancer struck.

Thankful for Mom and Dad's Marriage

Today I am thankful to have a dad who never left Mom's side during her 40+ years journey with HCM. Dad and Mom went through a lot together with her HCM. More trips to Mayo than I can count, Mom's open heart surgery over 30 years ago, a sudden cardiac arrest, so many hospitalizations, a heart transplant, biopsies and more. Dad has been a wonderful caregiver to Mom (well, as much as she would allow to be cared for :) Together Mom and Dad made this journey into something positive. Dad's been a great role model to Matt as we have embarked on my HCM journey, though with a much different path than Mom's took (so far. Thank goodness. And, Matt's and my trips to Mayo are always fun getaways for us!). 

Now Mom is becoming the caregiver to Dad as he battles pancreatic cancer and I know that all he's done for Mom in the last 40+ years will come back full-circle and for that, not only am I thankful, but I see just how blessed my parents are to have the marriage that they have had.

Thanks for Not Talking

Today I am thankful for a request Dad had of me as I was growing up, the request that I not talk during dinner until I was finished eating, because otherwise I would simply sit there, chattering away, and not eat my dinner.   At the time I remember thinking that was such a mean request and how could my dad NOT want to hear my voice? But now as a parent of a chatterbox, and I do mean a chatterbox, I can see why Dad asked that in the first place.

 I'm pretty sure though it wasn't really because I wouldn't eat, it was because my endless talking may or may not have grated on his nerves and he just wanted to eat in peace.  Though I've not yet requested that of the chatterbox in my home, I totally get why he did it.  :)