Growing up, Ashley and I referred to my dad as "Morris." In Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Cameron and Ferris totalled Cameron's dad's vintage Ferrari. Ashley and I always loved Cameron's line "When Morris gets home, he and I will have a little chat." I had plenty of times in high school and college waiting for my dad to get home so we could have a similar chat. And that is how we started calling my dad Morris.
I haven't called him that in years, but somehow, it still fits him. My dad is a dude that demands respect. Most of my boyfriends were afraid of him and for good reason. He doesn't play games. He is hilarious but can be pretty intimidating.
My dad means more to me each year. Now that I am a full fledged adult (35 for crying out loud) I understand a bit more about the sacrifices he made for me and still makes for me. Just recently, I had a friend over to my parents' house and he couldn't believe my dad drove the piece of crap that he drives. My dad is a federal magistrate judge and could drive any awesome car he wants. But he chooses to drive a beat up 94' Toyota Corolla with a bazillion miles on it. My mom got a brand new car last year. That's how he rolls. Material things are not important to him and he would rather my mom have money to spend on the grandkids, etc.
The last two years, I have been through a lot of emotional heartache. My mom and sister and friends have listened to me for hours and helped me work through a lot of it. But there were times (sometimes at 11:00 at night or the middle of his workday) that I needed to call my dad and get advice. And he always had the time and the best advice. My dad doesn't hold back. He will tell you exactly what he is thinking and sometimes it is hard to hear. But he is always right. And I know he loves me more than anyone (except maybe my mother) so I know he has my best interest at heart. He gave me the courage to pull the trigger on my divorce because he demanded happiness for me. He wouldn't allow me to stay in a situation where I wasn't going to be able to be happy. I love him for that.
Today, I am grateful for you, Dad. You have taught me what a real man is. You are strong in the gospel. You always lead out in our family and have high expectations for us in every area of our lives. I really appreciate the influence you are on my children.
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to Sam, too, who is the father of my children. I will always love him for giving me four bright, beautiful, happy kids. They love him to pieces and I appreciate that he is a fun, involved, committed dad.
Happy Father's Day to the men who read this blog..yes both of you. haha. Good fathers make a huge impact in the lives of their children and I don't think we celebrate good dads enough. This is your day!
15 comments:
Your dad rules...I will always remember him picking us up in San Diego when I was little in the "Ram Car". It kind of scared me. I totally enjoy him. He always makes me laugh.
This is Dad, not Linda! I never post comments, so I don't know how to do my own, and ain't no way I am going to find out...anyway, thank you Brookie for the very kind words. It has been easy to be a good dad when I had great kids like you. Everybody says you are more like me than any other kid I have. Sorry about that...but I love your spunk,courage,and determination. I have never been more proud of you than these last two years. Trust me,the best is yet to come in your life, and remember, I am always right! With much love, Dad
p.s. my p.o.s. toyota is just getting broken in!
You love to show me up. I told Dad that this post was from both of us. It's all true.
This post is a great compliment to your dad. The older I get the more I see the ways my dad has helped me and failed me (sad to say) and what disturbs me the most is how much I am like him in those bad areas. Every time I realize it (like I did again last night) it freaks me out to think I couldn't have seen it before.
You know I love your Dad, and reading his response to your post made me cry! "Morris" is the reason I decided to study English, and I find myself defending my degree (and encouraging others to seek it) with his same reasoning from 20 years ago...he was (and is) absolutely right!:) It warms my heart to know that you have such great family surrounding you when you need them most. You are one blessed woman!
Well, I think I am totally coveting your dad right now, especially after reading his comment. Reading your post about your dad has been a true pick-me-up on a day like today.
I'm so glad you've had such a good strong dad around to help you through these last couple years (and you know, the rest of your life).
People like to talk about how mothers influence society (which is TOTALLY true), but a strong father figure plays an equally vital role and I think they get short-shifted sometimes. Good dads rock.
This is a beautiful post :-) Your Dad sounds like a champion and I love his comment. He rocks!
I am so glad Sam is a good Dad... he sure did help produce some GORGEOUS children.
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad! Lee is like Paul and doesn't pull any punches - good and bad. I remember after being called to the RS Homemaking committee years ago, and Paul came up to me and said "besides Linda you are the worst person they could have called to this position". I laughed because it was so true. Score a direct hit. Still love Paul, but I love Linda more.
Can I call you dad for some help with a few things? :) I feel lucky to have a dad like that, too. This was a really nice post and I am so glad that you come from such a wonderful and supportive family, and that your dad is able to play such a role in your life and your kids' lives.
Oh, Paul. I still love Paul like we are still in high school. He was a major influence on me, too, and I'll always appreciate that he was willing to kick Rex out of the basement so I could move in there -- all I had to do was say the word. Lisa and I would go hang out with him all the time when you were at BYU. Paul is nothing but good memories for me. Love that guy. And I'll always remember what your aunt told us about him, even if he is a federal magistrate judge. He'll always be Paul to me.
I could not agree with this more! Your dad is amazing in so many ways. I often think how grateful I am for all the encouragement he has given Cam through the years. There are just somethings that come best from a dad.
I can't leave this without a comment. . .Paul is the most wonderful husband and dad (and he was a perfect son to all of our old parents before they died.) He is the MOST generous guy around until it comes to spending on himself. Case in point - I just got a turquoise blue Dooney & Bourke bag for FATHER'S DAY!!! (This is Linda talking now!)
Brooke, if I could talk to Morris, I'd tell him thanks for the awful O Holy Night rendition I heard one Christmas, thanks for hilarious, just-the-right-amount of inappropriateness he always provides, and thanks for being such a great Dad to you! I'm so glad you've been in such good hands.
I've heard about your dad, but to hear it from you gives me even more of a reason to love him. He sounds amazing.
I knew I wanted to be adopted into your family!! Sigh.
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