When I was a little girl my dad was my knight. He would get me ready for school, and make me breakfast. I remember honey buns with peanut butter.
I remember one time when the kids were mean to me at school and I ran home in tears. My dad walked me right back to school and talked to the teachers for me.
I remember how he was so excited that he got me a big stuffed purple dog for my bed that matched my bedroom. I would also lay in bed at night and wait for his little orange pick-up to get to the top of the hill. When I heard him coming down the hill, I knew it was safe to go to sleep cause Dad was home.
When I was in high school we got a miniature long haired black and tan daschund. The dogs name was Sanj. Well Sanj was supposed to be my dog. However, it was soon evident that a dog had stolen a mans heart. We lived in a condo, we didnt have to do any of the outside shoveling. Sanj had a certain route he had to take when he went outside. He would go out the front door and in the back door. When it snowed my dad would go and shovel a path so Sanj could get from the front to the back. One time Sanj was sick. Dad was told he needed a special diet. My dad stood in the kitchen and made Sanj hamburger and rice. Dad had heard a song on the Dr Demento radio show. He would come home and sing to Sanj. Dead Puppies are no fun. When dad moved to his apartment, he had to find a home for Sanj. When Sanj passed a few years later, the people we gave Sanj to wrote dad a thank you letter. Telling dad about his dog. They thanked him for sharing his dog with them . My dad was not an emotional man, but when he read their letter to me it was the only time in my life I saw my father weep.
Sometime when I was older my dad became my friend. We had many serious talks and many lighthearted talks. He was my father, my friend, and my counselor.
My dad was a lover of gadgets. I have no idea how many times he ordered something he saw on television. He would say hey Bee I saw the neatest thing on television. From slicers to bags that were to brown food in the microwave, if he thought it looked like something we could use he would get it.
He loved to play games, pitch, fill or bust, well any cards. When my brother and I were young we would have family nights that we would play Euchre they entire evening would be filled with the teasing of a family. I will miss those days.. He also loved to try and play with people. I remember when Mike was in high school. He had the boys over and dad bought near beer and would serve those boys beer all night long, then the boys started to act like they were getting intoxicated. Dad thought that was funny and he laughed and showed them that they werent even drinking real beer. He thought that was so funny. When my dad laughed it was infectious.
His love for his family was so great. We are blessed that even though we were not ready to have him leave us, and he was not ready to go, Neither my brother or I will ever have to wonder if he loved us or if he knew we loved him.
My father was never a man who said I love you. He was a man who showed it by going to work, even when he was sick. He showed his love for his family by hard work and dedication. Several years ago I taught him to say it. There was never a time as we aged that when we parted either on the phone or in person we didnt say I love you. I will always treasure the times he said it first. I love you kiddo, or Bee.
He loved his grandchildren. They tickled him immensely.
Tori- very smart, maybe too smart for her own good.
Dani- very funny like her dad.
Kaliegh- so cute and quiet like her mom.
Then there were the boys- Connor and Cole- he just got so much joy out of watching them grow.
He recently spent time with his mother and sisters. He was happy when he came back because they had made tentative plans to have a family reunion this summer or fall. He was so excited he talked about it more than once with me. He could not wait for his mother to see his grandchildren.
He would be so humbled by the people who showed up here today. I know he is here with us standing over us and looking down with utter amazement.
Dad- you were loved.
________________________________________________________________
I read this yesterday at my father's funeral.. Poeple came up to me and said that they had never been more proud of me then they were right now.
WOW..
I am sending you good vibes! 
the new pic! There is such a difference in you from the old one...you GLOW!!!
Since that's not the case...I am continuing to pray for this situation. It's in God's hands and soon, the passport will be in your hands!!! 
She is rather made up, isn't she? She had a lot of eye makeup on anyway. But she was just lovely!
But really, thank you! 
(or a modicum thereof...) I just put on my "three-sizes-too-small-haven't-worn-in-three-years" pants and they FIT!! I put them in the washer for tomorrow! Still got quite a way to go, but I'll take progress where I can.
That's great that both DD's are getting awards 
Well done 
