The Chronicles Of Nay

I know that I am a few days late on this but it took a few days to find all the right words.

Dear Dad, 

Thank you! Thank you for all that you did and continue to do for me. Father’s day was last weekend and even though we didn’t get to spend it together I want you to know how much i love and appreciate you. You are an incredible man and have set the bar very high for any men that want to be in my life. You have taught me so many things, some comical and some serious. Like when you tried to teach me to drive. How old was I, like 9? We were at the lake and asked if I wanted to drive. What kid doesn’t say yes? So you got out of the truck and had me slide over. So there we are. I’m barely able to reach the pedals and trying to figure out how to make my feet and my hands and eyes all be responsible for something at the same time. I rounded a corner going 45 MPH and ended up hitting one of those flimsy roadside pvc pipe poles and stopped in a ditch. It was very scary at 9, now it’s a pretty funny story! A story that includes you having to chase down half the pipe and Gav bouncing around the back seat! 

You taught me to always help out people. I remember countless times you would buy a burger for a guy on the street that said he needed food. I remember you always telling us “God has blessed us with so many things, it’s our job to help where we can.” 

You taught me to never give up. Sports were always a part of our childhood. I played softball, basketball, volleyball and for a season I was a basketball cheerleader. There were for sure things I was better at than others but one of your rules was “if you start something you have to finish the season. You don’t have to play again next season but you will finish the season.” Like when I decided that basketball was not for me… I wasn’t getting better at it like my teammates were. You told me that I didn’t have play next year but that I needed to finish the season. You also didn’t let us go on vacation or take time away from those teams for other things. you would tell us “ you made a commitment to that team you can (go wherever we were trying to go) when softball season is over”. Not only did it teach me to not give up on myself but to follow through. 

You taught me to always work hard for everything you want and have. You worked a lot when I was a kid. I remember you getting home from your normal “day job” and going to work a side hustle. Looking back i know you worked a lot to make sure we had everything not only what we needed but also everything we wanted. Also working all those side hustles you  learned to do a lot of different things. Growing up you taught me how to use a wrench, a screwdriver, a hammer, a saw, an electric drill and many other tools that I know have real names but I definitely don’t call them by those! i helped you garden, cook, bake, plant flower beds, install sprinkler systems, lay sod, pour concrete, demo a house, put a house back together, lay carpet, lay tile, change brakes, and change a tire.  I didn’t realize that not all dads didn’t know how to do all these things. I remember in high school one of my friends told me that they had a crew coming to pour a sidewalk in their backyard.  I asked why her dad just didn’t do it. Her response was “pfft my dad!?! He doesn’t know how to do that! We will leave that to the professionals!” It blew my mind that dads just didn’t know those things! 

Another lesson you taught was when I was in college and you became a licensed contractor. you worked very hard for that and I am proud of you for showing that there is no age limit on following a dream. 

The most important thing you taught me by teaching me all these things you taught me to be an independent woman. When I moved to Fort Worth I was scared, I was excited and I was nervous. You told me to go, have an adventure and enjoy it, but if I didn’t like it that you would be there waiting for me. I know that you and I argue but it’s because we are basically the same person. I also know that you are my biggest fan and that you love me and are proud of me. Thank you Dad for everything. I Love you and don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. ( We need more updated pictures together!)