Papa

You know it’s kind of hard to write about someone you love so much. To have your words give a relationship justice.

This week my dad & Ryan Kate’s Papa will turn 55 years old.

I am so thankful he is in our lives still. So many of my closest friends have lost a parent recently and it all makes reality seem a little more real. You never think at 30 or younger that you would lose a parent so young but it happens too often. I’m grateful for one more day with him to celebrate another year of love, laughter, & prayers. I could probably write a novel or three on my dad and the life he has lead. The accomplishments, the heartache and the love that he carries in him. I am so proud to call him my dad. I am sure at some point or another I will write a detailed post on who he is, but today I just want to share the parts of him that I love the most.

The Family Man.

When our family is turned upside down, he always pulls us back together. Some way. Some how. Our family dynamic isn’t much different than anyone else’s in 2017. It has been torn and tattered. We have welcomed and lost family members. We have fought and loved. Thankfully, I think, as we are all getting older we have learned where we all stand. Together. We wouldn’t have found that if it wasn’t for his family values.

The Praying Man.

My dad is a Godly man. A praying man. There isn’t a meal that we have ate in the past year that he hasn’t blessed. It hasn’t always been this way, but it has been as long as Ryan Kate has been around. It is her favorite part of going to her Papa’s house. He will be the first to look up scripture when it’s needed or say that you just need to “pray about it”.

I remember one year, at the end of one of my hardest relationships, completely breaking down in my dads arms. I can’t remember what exactly I was crying about or what the circumstances were then (it happened more often that I care to name). The thing that I remember the most was dad praying with me while my crocodile tears hit his shirt. I’m almost certain that was the last time I cried over that particular relationship. I didn’t feel so alone after that prayer. I knew I had someone behind me. God & my dad.

The Creative Man.

I’ve never been much of a painter or drawer, but my artistic gene comes from my dad. He has always drawn anything we’ve asked him to so effortlessly. I remember as a kid watching him draw Santa Claus and his reindeer at Christmas time for us. I wish so badly that I could find one of those drawings now. It was part of my childhood that I hold dear to my heart.

Dad has always been an encourager of mine when it came to art. Not by telling me this was something I needed to do or should do, but by telling me that he never worried about me making money and that I could be anything I wanted to be. When the time is right I will share that story. It is one that has stuck with me and stays in the back of my mind when I think of quitting.

The Funny Man.

If you have ever spoken to my dad then you have probably shared a laugh with him. Aside from him being one of the funniest people I know; he has the most incredible belly laugh. The kind of laugh that I will always hear, long after he is gone. Watching him play with Ryan Kate and making her laugh just as hard is one of my favorite things in life.

 Dad,
You are one of the most important people in my life.
I hope that you always know how much you mean to me.
I am so thankful to be apart of yours.
Happy Birthday.
I love you.
-Ashley