One thing my dad always did was be present in our lives. He attended countless sporting events we participated in, piano recitals, choir concerts, young women's programs, scouting events and the list goes on. He was always there cheering us on. If it was important to one of his kids, it was important to him. He would stay up late (sometimes half the night) to help with school projects that had been procrastinated until the last moment. He was just always there. Once I moved away from home I would often go to his office on BYU campus just to see him and talk to him. I knew whatever he had going on would be set aside for a moment so we could spend a minute visiting with me.
My dad loves music. He was often singing around our house. In fact, he sang with Young Ambassadors at BYU when he was a student there a million years ago. ;) I used to love sitting next to him in sacrament meeting at church so I could hear his awesome voice. He plays the guitar and would play and sing for us as kids. My brother, Dave, and my dad enjoy playing together occasionally now. I was reminded not too long ago of waking in the mornings as a teenager. My dad would come upstairs singing the BYU fight song at the top of his lungs in order to wake three sleepy teenage children for school. I remember hating that so much! Then, I moved away and I was forced to wake up to an alarm clock. Deep inside, I missed that little wake up song because I finally saw how much he poured his love for us into that silly song.
Faith in God and in His plan for us. Nobody has more faith than my dad. He didn't just teach us the concept of faith, he lived his life with his faith on his sleeve. His faith and love for the gospel was displayed verbally and also quietly, but clearly in his everyday actions. Many mornings I would come downstairs and see his scriptures sitting out where he had been reading them. He always found a way to kindly convince us that we wanted to watch all four sessions of General Conference in April and October. He would sit quietly taking notes of each of the speaker's talks. When my mom began to get sick his faith was ever present. At times, I have wondered if he must have been discouraged by the illness that was robbing him of his wife, however, there was never any indication of discouragement. He continued on ever faithful in a loving Heavenly Father and His plan for our family.
My dad, really both of my parents, taught me to see the good in people. I cannot remember a single time when my parents have spoken ill of somebody else. It just wasn't done. My dad found value in all he came in contact with. Everyone was always welcome in our home. If it was dinner time and friends were over, they weren't sent home, they were invited to join us. Every Sunday night we had a house full of friends and family. I hope to have a home just like this.
My dad has a great sense of humor. There was always teasing and jokes at our house. There's still rarely a time when we're together that some teasing doesn't go on. One funny thing I remember from my childhood is toilet papering people's homes. My mom didn't think it was safe for her two girls to go out toilet papering late at night. My dad didn't think we should miss out on this opportunity so he would take me and my friends and wait in the car for us.
Sis. Elaine Dalton quoted President McKay as saying, "The most important thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother." Nobody ever showed more love for their spouse than my dad for my mom. His love for her was like nothing I have ever witnessed. He was a devoted, fiercely loyal and loving husband. Their life together took them down many roads. They were blessed with many happy years surrounded by family and friends. My dad adored my mother constantly. He always called her "Coach" as he felt she was always helping him to be a better person. Later in their marriage, through years of illness he was always by her side being her biggest support and offering a seemingly endless supply of love. The night before she died he leaned down to her in bed, kissed her and said, "I love you, Coach." I will forever have that memory of the two of them imprinted in my mind and on my heart.
As you can see, my dad is a pretty remarkable man. Honestly, he's my hero. He always has and always will hold a very special place in my heart. I love you, Dad.
Stacy
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