Part 2, A Thank You

I know I told my Dad "thank you" many times for countless things growing up, but I don't think he even began to know the things I was REALLY thankful for by the time he passed. And I should have told him, but denying that he was actually going to be gone was easier.

So here goes: Dad, thank you for:

Putting up with my teenage years, for which must have been HELL, and if you're lucky, I will be repaid (with 5 kids, they won't ALL be good).

Always being there, no matter what I needed.

Taking me to get my first bra (oh, my poor father), even though you were apparently embarassed saying to the sales lady in a whisper and pointing at me "yeah, she needs a bra".

Collecting "sanitary napkin" samples in the mail and keeping them in a safe place for when "the time" came and then enlisting Aunt Nancy to go over it all with me.

Making me get back into the car to learn how to drive after I had a nervous breakdown when another car ran a stop sign, almost smashing into your side of the car at a very high rate of speed.

Loving Kaylee and Ryan.

Expecting no less than college and a career for me.

The laughs and good times we had the last two years WITHOUT the alcohol, even though it was WITH the cancer. You had a completely different personality once diagnosed. I'm glad I got to see that because I think you were like that all along. I think lots of people got to see that before you got sick, but life, the war, divorce, work, and other things I probably have no idea about, changed you.

Being my mother AND father.

Raising me up to be the person I am today. With a mother that left me by the time I was almost 8, you were a father who stepped up to the plate and loved Eric and I enough and unconditionally, to be responsible and provide for us and care for us the best you knew how, a REAL man. Without you, I cringe to think who I would be today. Thank you again, Dad.