A late Father's Day Tribute

As I reflect upon my growing years there are a few lessons I have learned from my father. Growing up we often heard phrases like, “If you’d keep your shoes on,” “I’d rather owe it to you than cheat you out of it,” and “Fords are the easiest cars to work on. You couldn’t pay me enough to drive a Chevy.” While I may have strayed from the Ford’s a little I haven’t strayed from the important lessons he taught me.

The first lesson I recall was in April of 1987. I’m fairly certain this was the first time in my seven years of life I saw him cry. My dad gave Brian his ten-speed for his birthday and my cousin Paul had put it together just before his death. I saw a strong man weep as he gave my brother his bike, and I learned it is all right to cry sometimes.

All throughout my life I have learned self-confidence from my dad. I recall many talks about how I should expect men to perceive me as a woman. He taught me to respect myself and expect as much from others. I learned from him that I am beautiful and I don’t need to have makeup on always to prove it.

When I was 13 I learned about the process of faith and prayer. My dad had been laid-off of his job at signetics in Orem, Utah. As he pursued other opportunities he was faced with a decision. He could either move with signetics to Albuquerque, New Mexico or accept an offer at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis, Oregon. The family sat down and made a list of pros and cons. After looking over the list we made a decision to move to Oregon. While my parents could have stopped with that decision they didn’t. My dad encouraged all of us to personally ask the Lord if our decision was correct. Then upon everyone receiving confirmation we did, if faith, move to Oregon.

Along with faith and prayer my father taught me perseverance. My first semester of college away from home was a very difficult adjustment. Around Thanksgiving I was homesick and discouraged. I told my dad I wanted to return home and stay home after Christmas. My dad said if I would stick it out to the end of the school year then I could stay home if I chose. By the end of that hard year I had grown to love school and was able to finish an associate’s degree in the years to follow.

Finally and most recently my father taught me to see the true spirit in people. In September of 2002 Kent and I had been dating for six months and we were contemplating marriage. I had a huge concern because Kent and I, as I saw it, were on different spiritual levels. My father then explained, with guidance from the spirit, Kent was worthy and willing to take me to the temple and honor his priesthood and that was the important part. He also explained sometimes I will need to lift Kent up, but other times Kent will lift me.

As I think of my father he may have imperfections and just be “a big dummy” as he would say. I know that in his life he has always taught me to look to my Father in Heaven and I don’t know that a greater lesson could be taught. I love you dad. May every day be a happy father’s day for you!

Love,
Marlies