Fathers in My Life - Part 1

Remember what I said about June 17, 2007? It should have been Father's Day... it was Father's Days.

That day, as I spoke to the congregation during Sacrament meeting, all I could convey was one memory--not even mine.

To give you some context, when my dad was three years old, his father died in a farming accident. His mother was left with seven children (my dad and six half-siblings). My grandmother remarried a few years later, adding seven more to the mix. I can only imagine that being from a blended family was difficult, especially living in poor farming conditions.

When I spoke that Sunday I retold a story from when my dad was about twelve years old. He was on a scouting trip with a bunch of other boys and a scout master who had helped pay his way to scout camp. They were on a bus headed home when they stopped at a gas station. While they were at the gas station, a bunch of the boys found some five-cent combs and stuffed their pockets with them. All the boys, except my dad. He could have easily rationalized his abject situation, but he chose to withstand peer pressure, live his standards, and be honest.

When the gas station attendee realized what had happened (before the bus had left), he approached the scout master and shamefully each boy had to apologize and pay the debt for stealing. All the boys, except my dad.

It may have been insignificant to some, but each time I think of this story, I can imagine the pride that that scout master felt for that one young man, who although poor, stood for what was right--especially after he had sacrificed for him to get there.

My dad is one of the most wonderful men I know. He is kind, diligent, hard-working, and has a wonderful sense of humor. He is a talented businessman and is the most generous person I know. He loves his family, and his face lights up when he sees my little girl. The true meaning of joy.

My dad has taught me to be the best I can be, to never give up, to value and seek after education, to be generous, to live the Gospel, and to value my family. However, the most important lesson I've learned from my dad is "Taste is nothing, presentation is everything."

For Father's Day this year, Ryan and I gave my dad tickets (one for him, one for me) to the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. When I was a kid I hated going to the home show or painting a various room. Now some of my favorite memories with my dad have been centered around home shows, decorating, design, and renovations. We've especially loved watching House Hunter's International, Sarah's House, or Candice Olson together and I love seeing the DVR folder saved just for me.

Here's to the greatest dad I could have ever asked for!

Love you Dad!