A Good Father -- by Jenny

A little introduction: Jenny is my sister and I asked her to share a little bit about her really good father-in-law Tim. I can't wait for you to hear some of the good he is doing. 

My father-in-law Tim grew up in a small town.  Not small as in one streetlight small.  Small as in NO streetlight because the coming and going of livestock regulates the traffic as easily as a red light.  It is not surprising, then, that he developed an insatiable hunger for knowledge and understanding.  

He became a demographer, which is one of those fancy multi-syllabic words for, a people watcher (of the non-creepy variety) who takes a group, studies what they do, think, and become because of their membership in this group.  His reaction to my overly simplistic description highlights a quality his son thinks so highly of him for.  Tim would undoubtedly amend my description of his work, but before doing so he would look for what I said that WAS right, instead of immediately correcting the glaring problems.  To look for the good, the truth in everything and everyone, the controversial, the obviously unredeemable, makes him one of the most interesting and inspiring people I know, and ME one of the luckiest people I know. Although, there are a growing number of other people who feel the same way.

For a number of years, he's been involved with a handful of people at BYU in taking students to Mexico to observe the people, their living conditions and culture, and also to serve.  The latter is what gets him most excited.  He loves the Mexican people and the others who serve them with a profound respect and affection.  At every stop, city, small town, remote group of natives atop a mountain, he organizes different service projects like building cement wash basins, painting a school, playing with orphaned children, and hauling rocks in the most isolated villages,. . . .  lots, and lots of rocks.  

It's about 95 degrees. Unless you find a stream you're not bathing, and do not expect anyone or anything but the jaguars and drug lords to find you if you get lost---this is Tim's paradise!  Sweaty and exhausted, working beside good people FOR good people, without stop is a good day to him.  He's not much different at home--although he doesn't bathe in streams there---he is never still, but always moving, biking, or helping with projects at his or other's homes. 

 

Tim is the one in green.

Perhaps it's what my husband, his son Michael, says is his keen awareness of the underdog that gives him his stamina.  He comments how as a child his father always tried to make things fair and how as a man he is impressed with his father's concern for those who are at a disadvantage.  It underlies everything he does, coloring his casual conversation, his daily work, and his demanding and elaborate trips.  The phrase, "Life isn't fair," has never stopped Tim from working doggedly in trying to make it otherwise. There 's an increasing number of people in Mexico, a group of former students, and his family who have been lucky enough to love him for his example.

Tim is the one in green.

 

He's a good man, a great mind, a tender hand, a thoughtful listener, a hard worker, a thorough optimist, an interesting conversationalist, and a tremendous father!  Wiith him you'll always be in good company.

Happy Father's Day Tim!

A Good Father -- by Peter

A little introduction: Peter is my awesome brother-in-law (married to my sister Stephanie.) He is a really good father and I knew he had to have learned that somewhere. Indeed he did. He learned it from his Dad Dale.

Webster’s Dictionary defines Father as: a man who has begotten a child. 
Whereas this may be the accepted literal definition of the term father, truly being a “father” goes beyond just the literal definition. I know I may not do him justice, but I’d like to share a few thoughts about my own father and what he has taught me throughout my life. 

A true father’s responsibility doesn’t simply lie in just the contributing of creating a child but extends into the responsibility of shaping that child into a young man or woman and eventually into an adult.

From a young age I know my dad probably never had an easy life, but I do know that he worked hard and accomplished anything he ever set his mind to. There’s nothing that he seems to be afraid of, or if there was, he never let his boys know. As I’ve grown up watching him and working beside him he has taught me that through hard work and dedication anything is possible. I’m grateful for his love and commitment to our family and for his quiet and daily sacrifices he made in order to provide for our family. I’m sure there were times when it would have been easy to just do what he wanted to do, work less, play more, but he always made sure we had food on the table and a home to call our own. He supported us in all of our athletic and academic endeavors and continues to do so today.

I have very few vivid memories of him when I was small, but as I watch him interact with my own children I see how he must have been when I was growing up. Always willing to sit with someone on his lap often times listening to sporadic babble as only kids can do, willing to laugh with them, make them laugh and just be there as only a grandpa can.

I loved the times he would take us to the park and shag balls or take us shopping for those new cleats at the beginning of every soccer, football or baseball season. I knew if I went with dad he would get me the “good pair” of shoes, not just the ones on sale. And if I wanted the more expensive pair he made it clear that I would have to pay the difference. This taught me the importance of working for the things I wanted.

He taught me to be of service. He would drag us boys to any service project available even when we didn’t want to go. He knew that by serving others our attitude would change and it worked. I never once regretted helping someone out. 

He also taught me to serve faithfully in church callings, although he often can’t be in church because of his responsibilities with work, he never turns down a calling or fails to check in with his home teaching families.

He also taught me and my brothers discipline which too often is overlooked these days. He let us know that we were expected to behave in certain situations and that when we didn’t there were going to be consequences. There was a time when we were being, I guess especially rotten, so he and my mother sat us in the doorway of our garage and made us sit and watch him carve a wooden paddle out of  a piece of wood. This was going to be the paddle of all paddles, in order to save on the future breaking of all our mom’s wooden spoons. Being in that moment was terrifying to say the least. I’ll always remember when he finished that paddle the fear at least I had from being on the opposite end. To ease our fears I guess is why he handed it to our mother and upon which she wrote on one side “The Paddle” and on the other “I Love You” Whatever happened to that paddle I’ll never know, but I know that I didn’t miss it the day it disappeared ;)!

Dad, I love you and thank you for all you are and have helped me to become. 

I’m proud to call you my Father.

A Good Father -- by Heidi

A little introduction: Heidi is one of my dear friends and I knew that anyone as great as her had to have a really good Dad. Indeed, I was right. I'm excited for you to get to know her and her Dad Norman.

I feel like I have been whisked back to Bransford Elementary School and given an assignment from my teacher. You know the kind of assignment – the class is given a piece of paper that says something like “I love my Dad because…” or “My Dad has taught me…” and then pencils start to fly.

This is where I get to show everyone that my Dad is better than his or her Dad. Because he is better, in fact he is the best.

When I think of adjectives that describe my father several come to mind but I won't bore you with all 300 or so. Instead I’ll focus on just a few.

Funny. Norman is funny. He is one of those people you want to be around because they make you laugh. When I picture my dad he is always smiling, or laughing (he has the best laugh – better than your dad’s). His laughter and smile are contagious and have reminded me to chill out on more than one occasion. Unknowingly he has taught me how to look at difficult circumstances and try to find something to laugh about. That ability has made my life easier and more joyful. Although I do cry pretty easily, (that I get from my mother), I do find it pretty easy to laugh and to be happy. That I get from my father.

A good husband. My Dad is a good husband. (For the record this is where I start tearing up – thanks mom.) Growing up I rarely saw my parents in the kitchen together without some kind of smooching going on. There was never a question that my father loved my mother, passionately I might add. Yes, they had disagreements, but then there was always that smooching. They let me know and taught me that in marriage you can disagree and still love each other.

My dad often refers to my mom as his girlfriend – I love that. In fact I remember a specific time when I was talking back to my mom as only a perfect teenage daughter would, and the response from him was immediate. “You will not talk to my girlfriend that way” came his booming voice. I rolled my eyes then but I sure do love the example he set today.

About 12 years ago my husband and I lost a son who was stillborn. My mom was the first person I called, sobbing and in tremendous pain. She told me she would be on a flight and by my side the next day. A few hours later she called back to say that after talking to my dad, she decided that she wouldn’t be flying in immediately. You see ,my dad reminded her that at such a difficult time Cord and I should be leaning on each other instead of me leaning on my mother. His wise council helped Cord and I build a strong marriage. That experience bonded us in a way nothing else can and I am grateful for that.

Baseball. My dad taught me to love baseball. My dad is a huge San Francisco Giants fan. My summers were filled with Giants games on T.V., on the radio and occasionally at Candlestick Park. I can also remember playing "three fly’s up" with him over at Bransford Elementary. He would hit fly balls up into what seemed like outer space and then my brothers and I would try to catch them. Once we caught three balls it was our turn to hit. My father easily caught the small pop flies I hit as a girl, and throughout my life he has been there to catch me. In times of difficulty or with simple everyday questions he has given me advice. He has set an example of what a good man is and he loves me unconditionally. I am and always have been, so proud to point to him and say 

“That’s my dad”.

I love you Dad! 

 More than I could begin to express. 

In fact, I love your guts!!

More Good Fathers....

...are on their way.

We have featured two really great Dads so far. If you've missed either of them,

you can go here to read about my Father-in-law

or here to read about my own Father.

But, you'll want to keep checking back this week for more inspiring Fathers.

P.S. If you have a Good Father you'd like me to feature, just let me know.

A Good Father -- by Thelissa

Quick introduction: Thelissa is my sister-in-law and therefore, the good father you get to read about happens to be my father-in-law, Russ. I am so very blessed to have two great Dads in my life. 

Enjoy!

Shortly after my 21st birthday I stood in an airport preparing to leave for Cape town, South Africa. I had been away from home before, but never like this. I'd never been gone for this long and never with so many unknown experiences ahead of me. I remember feeling scared and excited, hesitant and anxious all at the same time. Just as it was time for me to board the plane and head out into the "real world" my Dad gave me the best advice I have ever received. It was simple and to the point, and yet poignant. His words were... 

"Decide now, to do good."

This went through my mind for days, weeks, even months as I settled myself into life on my own. Truth be told, they echo in my head even now.  At times when I am faced with a new challenge or assignment in life, I remember those words and set my sights on doing just as he said, no matter what the situation. "Decide now, to do good."

Sometimes when people offer advice they mean well, but don't act on what they themselves have pontificated. It is easier to tell someone else the "right way" to do something, but not so easy to live up to what they have said. But in this situation, my Dad has very much lived up to the advice he gave me years ago. He has set an example of doing good in his own life and I admire him very much! I always feel "InGood Co." when I am with my Dad.

Some of His Good Accomplishments  include:

Served as Brigham Young University's Student Body Vice President of Culture

A career full of  managing several radio stations

Sales and marketing trainer for Bonneville International Corp.

Involved with CBS Radio Affiliates Board and National Broadcasters Association

Served in many capacities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Volunteers yearly for the Christmas Around the World Showcase at Brigham Young University for their Folkdance Presentation

Taught at 2 Universities, over the course of several years

Earned his PhD in communication at the age of 61

Husband to Ilene, Father to 4 and Grandfather to 14.

 (My beautiful mother-in-law)

Some of His Good Qualities include:

Being patient, compassionate and caring for others.

Being a strong leader and good example.

Being an excellent listener and an amazing teacher.

Being "down to earth" and wise in the ways of life.

Being willing to give of his time and energy to better his family and help them where needed.

When looking over all that my Dad has done and all he has become, I can see that he has lived up to his own advice to me. He is a good man in general. He has dedicated his life to his love of learning, teaching, and most of all to his family. I love him for teaching me and guiding me and encouraging me to make my own decision each day, to do good! 

Happy Father's Day Dad.

A Good Father

There are so many people who are doing good things and so many people to be inspired by. In honor of Father's Day coming up I thought it would be good to be inspired by a few good fathers.

Indeed, I must begin with my own Dad, Michael. 

When I think of my Dad, "good" is one of the first words that comes to my mind.

I have learned so many things from my Dad. He is one of those people that can do...anything. If he doesn't know how to do something, he can learn -- and learn quickly. He can fix, repair, rebuild, and explain the mechanics and physics of anything and everything (from computers, to cars, to surround sound systems, to....homes, to...anything. I can't think of something he can't fix.)

He is also a great dancer.  Very smooth. All of my sisters (and my Mom) love to dance with Dad.

He is extremely intelligent and has an amazing grasp on the way things work. Whenever my kids have a question about something that I have no idea how to explain, I say "That is a really good question for Papa. Let's call him." {I am referring to questions about the universe and astrophysics, and why things are blue, or how an airplane actually flies. Come on kids! Give me something easier, like how to spell something. Maybe how to spell "tuberculosis" -- the first word I really remember having learned how to spell in third grade. I was really proud of myself. Weird.}

I digress.

He also has an amazing vocabulary. He used to tell us that whenever you wanted to learn a new word, you should try to purposely use it a lot. He did. He would throw strange words into his sentences like they were a normal part of his vocabulary. If I didn't understand a word he would follow it up with..."Well, go look it up in the dictionary." I apparently didn't do that because he still uses words that are unknown to me. I am however very familiar with "plethora", "placate", "behoove", "diabolical", and "hoodlum." Okay. I probably already knew hoodlum, but I remember he used to use that word. I know there are several other "large and important" words that he used to use, but alas, I can't remember a single one because I never used them in sentences on purpose and I certainly never looked them up in the dictionary (probably because I couldn't remember what the strange word was long enough to look it up.)

{Four generations}

He is an extremely hard worker. Most of my memories of my dad are of him....working. Working at work. Working around the house. Working in the yard. I used to love watching him work or just be around him because he would whistle or sing little songs -- such fond memories.

He has a really great laugh and an infectious smile.

I have learned so many good things from my dad, but by far, the legacy he will leave is his goodness.

All of the gifts and talents that I have described above are things he has used for good. He has repaired, fixed, built, and re-built so many things for so many people. He is incredibly generous with his time and his money...and his hard work. He is good.

He is getting old. (Sorry Dad. I thought you already knew.) Okay, he is getting older, but he still hasn't slowed down. I live far away from my Dad, but I know that he spends A LOT of his time helping others. Helping those that need help. Helping. Working. Doing good. His body is aging, but it doesn't stop him. He still spends hours of labor helping to clean, build, re-build, and repair things for others.

I think my Dad is one of those people that will never stop helping people. He would rather give you everything he could, than to see you go without or have difficulty. His compassion is endless. 

I remember a particular time when I was around....twelve or fourteen maybe. Something in that range. It was Christmastime. A young family in our church had just recently been laid off. My parents took us to pick out a Christmas tree for them. We then filled a box full of groceries and some Christmas treats my mom had made. They loaded all of us up in our van and headed to the family's house in the evening. We took the items quietly to the door (no small feat since there were a lot of us) and then quickly retreated back into our van. I remember that before I got into the van, I saw my Dad quickly and carefully sneak an envelope filled with a few hundred dollars into the box. (I don't know the exact amount. I don't think I ever did, but I knew it was a lot.) I am certain he didn't know I had seen it. We hadn't talked as a family about giving them money.

First of all, I was shocked. I was fairly young. I hadn't seen that much money in person before. Second, I knew that had to be a huge sacrifice. I come from a family of ten children. Providing Christmas for ten children is no small task. I had no idea what their finances were, but we were certainly not millionaires so I knew this had to be a lot for them to give up at that time of year.

That memory has stuck with me. I can vividly recall it in my mind. I can see it over and over again. Every time I do,....my heart swells with love for my Mom and Dad and their example of giving. 
Giving when it's hard. Giving when it's needed.

It has always had an impact on me.

That was not the only time I have had that experience watching my parents give. There have been countless others. He continues giving and doing good for our family as well as others.

{My Mom and Dad at my Senior Prom. This picture still makes me grin.}

I know my siblings can attest to this -- there isn't a single one of us that our Dad hasn't helped in one way or another.

My Dad worked hard providing for a large family.

My Dad worked hard providing relief -- even sometimes in relatively small ways -- for others.

My Dad still does.

He is a really good man.

He is a really good father.

That is the legacy he will leave. That is what I have learned most from him. That is what I will always use to measure myself against. 

He inspires me to do good. 

He inspires me to be good.

I love you Dad!

Happy Father's Day!

Keep watching over the next week for more good fathers.

You are sure to be inspired.

Do you have a good father that you want me to feature?

I'd love to hear from you.