Love Of My Dad

Dear Kids,

I hope you love your dad as much as I love my dad. It is your Papa's birthday today and so this post is for him.

There are so many reasons I love my dad, but this little story will sum it all up perfectly...

My very first memory of my life is about my dad. I was almost 3 years old. My sister fell off a bar stool in the kitchen and split her head open. She ended up having to go and get stitches. To my little mind, it felt like my parents were gone for days and days and I didn't see them forever.

I had (have ;-) a very demanding personality when it comes to attention, and it felt like I was completely forgotten and I didn't like it at all. I remember feelings of loneliness and that no one loved me any more. When dad came home at one point I remember telling him something like, "You don't love me anymore. You only love Mesha".

Then he left again for a little while. He came back with a HUGE sucker, a twisted up kind that was all different colors. This part of the memory is so vivid. I remember I was in the kitchen, on the floor towards the front. I heard someone call me, then I looked up and it was my dad. He was holding this sucker out to me. He knelt down and he said, "This is just for you." I smiled really big, then I ran to him and with his big arms and shoulders he scooped me up and he said in my ear, "I will always love you."

This memory is the first I have of my life. It made such a huge impact on me. Even now writing about it I am bawling. It is the biggest reminder to me of how much and how young our kids remember when they feel love from us.

No matter what I have been through in my l life, I have ALWAYS known that my dad loves me, adores me, trusts me and wants me to be great. I have always felt that from him. His confidence and trust in my kept me from getting into bad trouble on a number of occasions. When I was offered alcohol or drugs the biggest motivating factor to not give into peer pressure was knowing my dad trusted me and I couldn't betray that trust and love.

The only thing better than my dad being my dad, is knowing that he is your Papa!! That gives me reassurance I can't describe. I love him, and I hope he has at least 40 more birthdays still to come (Come on dad... you want to make it to 101 don't you?? ;-)

And I love you,

Your Mom

What I Want My Kids To Remember About America

Dear Kids,

You are the next leaders of our country. I love my country. I love the Founding Fathers. I love the freedom that America has stood for throughout it's history. Sadly enough, I see the greatness of our country falling into pieces all around me. I weep about it, knowing that you will have a very different experience in America than I grew up with.

With the 4th of July coming up there are some things I MUST tell you... I am compelled to write and declare.

To me, America is not just another 'nation in the world'... another 'type' of government. True America stands for FREEDOM. America came about because of inspiration from heaven that rested on the Founding Fathers. The men and women who gave everything to uphold the constitution throughout our history have not done it just for America, they have done it for the world. For the world to experience freedom, liberty and honor.

Men and women are capable of self-government.We are capable of doing powerfully good things with our right to choose and the freedom with which to act. There is a great evil in this world that is trying to take all of that away, a creeping destroyer who is slithering around the nations of the earth professing that governments have all the answers and socialism is the best way to live. But you must remember...

God GAVE you FREEDOM. God gave us these rights. The Lord planned it all so America could be the beacon of liberty and to achieve the purposes of the Lord throughout the world. Do NOT shrink for your liberty and your right to uphold the cause of TRUE freedom.

No matter what happens in Washington D.C., no matter how corrupt everything becomes around me, I am determined to teach you about the constitution and what it stands for. The next leaders of our nation are YOU.

Every father and mother must teach about our true America. We must teach about freedom, about the right for religion, the principles upon which this country was founded. I vow to not let the greatness of TRUE AMERICA be lost on your shoulders. I vow to teach you about liberty, freedom and honor. It is my sacred responsibility.

I love you,

Your Mom


P.S. These are the things I want you to remember about America, and my memories!

• Being American - there was no better moment to describe what 'Being American' meant than on September 12th, 2001. The day after the 9/11 attacks. It didn't matter what 'political aisle' you were on, we were all PROUD to be Americans. 
• 4th of July watermelon, fireworks, swimming in the river, camping, celebrations, reunions, programs...
• Singing songs like 'My Country Tis Of Thee' and having EVERYONE know the words around me. You will learn the words to all the patriotic songs. I will make sure of that.
• Saying prayer in groups, thanking the Lord for our country, our freedom and the hope for our future. 
• Everyone wearing red, white, and blue... holding the flag with honor and national pride. 
• Mom telling us stories about the Founding Fathers and what they went through. Stories about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams... So many stories to tell. You will know all those stories. Their memories will not be lost in this home!!
• Listening to 'Take Your Hat Off When The Flag Goes By' and other tapes. Dad teaching us how to respect the flag, how to hold the flag, how to fold the flag.
• Grandpa Connell telling us about his pride in his country that he fought in war for. His tears welling up in his eyes when he would tell his feelings and testimony about the sacrifices so many people have given for us to have the abundance and freedom we do.
• Waiting in anticipation for the spectacular night time fireworks show by the Snake River. Listening to the music and the stories told while watching the fireworks in the sky. 
• Dad sitting all of us down in the circle and asking us what we need to do to be better Americans. How we can be better neighbors, stand up for what is right, stand up for principles, and most of all stand up for God.
• Knowing that America was the place of hope for everyone in the world. Feeling security inside of the 'melting pot' America represented for all people.
• Having a neighborhood breakfast and the children of the neighborhood putting on a program and then decorating their bikes for a neighborhood parade. 
• Being in the city parade on various floats throughout my life, for my school, my church, my clubs... waving at the little kids who were looking at everything with amazed eyes.