MY DAD!
i've been meaning to post this interview for a couple weeks. we had a few crazy things going on here, including me and a parasite.
a month or so ago, i posted an interview with my mom and so many of you loved it. i sent the same questions to my dad. here are his answers. enjoy!
Me: What's one thing you would have done differently as a parent?
Dad:If I had it all to do all over again, I would have been a better spiritual leader much earlier in life. I always knew about God but I was never taught (or had it illustrated for me) what it means to totally surrender every part of your life to the Lord. I know that if I had surrendered earlier, there are things I would have handled differently.
Me: Why did you choose to be with my mother/father?
Dad: She had 4 sisters who would have hunted me down if I didn’t make that choice… But seriously, when you are with the right person, God will let you know. I first fell in love with your Mom’s sense of humor. We spent a lot of time together almost every day during the months before we were married so we got to know each other very well. We talked about everything; no subject was off limits. We very rarely argue so we have always able to talk things through together.
Me:In what ways do you think I'm like you? Not like you?
Dad:Well…you have my youthful good looks, my sense of humor, my love for music and my love for animals. You are most unlike me because you have never been afraid to venture out on your own to someplace new and unknown. I am too much of a planner to just take that step forward.
Me: What do you remember about the day I was born?
Dad: It was a Saturday evening and I was going to make a homemade pizza – but you ended that really quick. I remember about 32hrs of labor and I remembered to not eat anything that day so I could be in the delivery room with you (your da has always had a tender stomach). I remember holding you for the first time and shielding your eyes from the bright lights and you looking up at me with that ‘who the heck are you?’ look on your face. I also remember taking my vacation when you got home from the hospital and getting to spend your first 3 weeks at home with you.
Me: Is there anything you always wanted to tell me, but haven't?
Dad:you said that I always wanted to tell you but didn’t. I do remember what is was like growing up as ‘the fat kid’ and getting picked last for sports, etc. I went from one extreme (260lbs) to the other (135lbs) in about 16months. I did it by prayer and fasting and exercise. So of course, everyone in my hometown was convinced that I was using drugs – which is one reason that I could not wait to leave. I can’t really think of anything specific that I wanted you to know that I did not tell you.
Me: Is there anything you wish you had asked your parents? What?
Dad:I’m sure that there were things that I should have asked them but I knew from an early age that I could never have a reasonable conversation with my father. And my mother always yielded to him. Of course, I wasn’t told until I was in my 20’s that he had mental issues. Every kid thinks their parents are half nuts, my father really was…
Me: What's the best thing I can do for you right now?
Dad:Continue to be brave. Follow God’s lead and trust in Him that he will lead you through every situation that He brings you to.
Me:What's the hardest thing about being my parents? The easiest?
Dad:The hardest thing is having you 1,000,000,000,000,000,000miles away from us and not getting to have Da-Dotter days at Ear-X-tacy and Smoothie King! The easiest thing…let me think…oh yea! Tickling you when you least expect it (as a return for a Wet Willie)!!!
Me:What was I like as a child?
Dad:In a word: HARDHEADED!!! You had your own way and time for doing things and the rest of the world can just get over it. We could never get you to take a nap. We had to follow you around and find where you finally fell asleep, then pick you up and carry you off to bed. We finally gave up and put a step-stool next to your crib so you could come and go as you please. I do remember one time at Mt Holly when you were being yourself so I took you out to the car and ‘explained things’ to you (no, you did not get spanked). After that time (you were about 4 at the time), you were always obedient to you da.
A fond memory I have from your younger years is that every night when I got home, you used to go to the bookcase (the glass door bookcase that you have) and you would pull out a dozen or so books and carry them over to me, climb up in my lap and we would read them. You would repeat this two or three times a night. It didn’t take too long and you’d be correcting me when I was reading to you!
Me:When were you proudest of Timmy and I?
Dad:Truthfully, I am most proud that you and your brother have accepted Jesus as your savior; everything after that is all icing on the cake. I am so very proud that both of my children have graduated college and have good jobs. The one thing that your Mom and I tried to teach you kids was how to make a good decision and I see that you all listened.
Me:What do you want your grandchildren to remember you for?
Dad:Most of all, I want my grandchildren to know how much I love the Lord and that I love them. I want them to know that there is nothing that they can’t ask me about or tell me. Faith and family are the two most important things in this life.
Me: What has been your favorite thing about having Timmy and I?
Dad:My favorite thing is that after all we have been through, both of my children still enjoy being with me (and I with you!!!). Both of my children are not afraid to talk to me about anything. We enjoy each other’s company and we can still laugh!