I can pick up the phone at any hour and ask my Dad to do just about anything - and he will do it! He has been by my side during every room makeover for Cecily's Closet. He does so much work that no one would ever know. How does all the furniture get built? How do all the those curtain rails get mounted, and art hung, and shelves mounted? My Dad does it! Yes, he is an army of one. Of course I'm there to boss him around (quite a fun role reversal...) but he is there with his British wit to keep me in check. We have fun. He is a giver and I am so grateful.
My Dad is an engineer. He loves puzzles and math and figuring out how stuff works. As a child everything was a lesson of some sort. I used to moan and just wish I could skip the physics lesson... or that I could swim in the pool without worrying about density or ride my bike without the lesson on gravity... but I realize now that he was ALWAYS teaching and always looking out for my best interests... even though at times I could not see it. And oh yes... there were many times that I could not see it! Like when I wanted to switch my major in college... and when I wanted to quit a few things growing up... and when I wanted to stay out past 11pm because EVERYONE else got to do this! I laugh now because I am pretty sure I am just as strict, if not more, than my Dad was with me. I know this because I love my kids more than anything and I want to protect them from everything. I now look back and realize that my Dad was doing just that... protecting me from everything - and even from myself when I was making interesting choices!
I am so blessed to have my Dad in my life. We love that he is not more than a phone call away. He is strict with Noah but he is jelly soft with Cecily. He loves them both fiercely. He teaches Noah about planets, and geography and makes the every day stuff a lesson. He dances and sings with Cecily... and when no one is looking he piles on the kisses and they have a very close relationship. It is very fun for me to watch it grow. Both kids adore Grumpy Gramps. When I shuffled the playing cards today for our "Go Fish" game, Noah said Grandpa taught you that? ..."he is so cool!"
Thank you Brien and thank you Dad for being so wonderful. I love you both.
Onwards and upwards!