Show and Tell: My Dad

My dad! I've mentioned a lot about my mom, obviously, but not very much about my dad. Since this is my first Show and Tell, I figured what better topic then my good ole dad!

His name is George and wasn't born in our country. He was born in Holland. More specifically, he was born in a concentration camp. His family was moved to one when his mother was pregnant with him during the war. His dad was off fighting in the war and his mother was left to tend to 3 girls and to give birth to a son, all while trying to survive in a concentration camp. There's much to tell about the beginning of his life, but I know I can not do the story justice. So, I'll tell you all what a wonderful father he was to us, as we were growing up.

Growing up, we were always laughing and joking with each other. I can't remember a time, even when things were really rough, that we weren't laughing. Life was about laughter, not being "depressed" about what turns and twists our lives took.

The relationship I have with my father, is very different then any of my friends had with theirs. I always knew that I could go to my dad and talk to him about anything, even the "girly" stuff. Never once did he make me feel like my problem was nothing, nor did he ever brush me off. He was always patient and kind, even when I was on the phone at 2 am when I wasn't suppose to be. Of course, that didn't mean I didn't get in trouble. I still did, but I also knew that I was loved.

Him and my mom were a huge part of our education. He did the news letter for our little Catholic school, he helped design our mascot for the swim team, they were at EVERY game/meet, he did so much for that school. I see, now, why the school was so upset when my younger sister and I "graduated" from that school. Never once did I hear him complain about doing so many things for us and the school. I also, never remember being embarrassed that my dad was at the school almost every day.

There are so many things he has done for us, but the most recent one is pretty awesome. My dad is on a fixed income. 7 years or so ago, he went blind because of his diabetes. Him and my mom had to change everything that they did. He went on disability and my mom went to work. My dad was always the one who did the driving, and now it was my mom's turn to do all the driving. He, of course, never led on how frustrating it was for him, not to be able to see anymore. He is "legally blind", not totally blind. He can see, everything is just a bit darker and blurry.

He wasn't able to spend Christmas with us this year, but that didn't dampen his spirits and gift giving. He sent us a big box full of gifts for us. He picked out each gift with that person's interests in mind. He knew that I enjoyed myself so much when I went to see Mamma Mia and how much I love the CD, that he bought the movie for me. He let my roommate and husband in on the secret so I wouldn't buy the movie for myself. He also bought me a tube of bubble bath, because taking a hot bath is one of my favorite things. The other gifts that he picked out for everyone else were so thoughtful and fun. But the best part of the gifts were the little poems he had attached to each gift. He personalized them for each of us and taped them to our gifts. They are so clever and full of love.

He had to sit at his computer and slowly type out each poem, print them, cut them and tape them to our gifts. I can't imagine this wasn't easy for him because I know he gets frustrated when he needs help seeing something on the computer screen. The fact that he did this 4 times, meant the world to me. For me, that was the best part of the gifts he sent.

My dad is an amazing man and I can't think of a better man to have raised me and my sister. He's been a source of comfort for me while going through the grief of my mom's passing. He's been patient, kind, caring and most importantly he has loved me despite any mistakes I have made in my short 33 years in his life.

Thank you dad, for being an amazing father and for giving me the gift of love.

Go to Mel's blog and take a peek at what the others are sharing this week.