My dad makes the best bread in the world. And he's quite proud of that fact. Any time a guest walks into his home, his first item of business is to head to the kitchen to make them some bread. He also makes his own strawberry jam and beautiful wood cutting boards that he can send with the bread when he delivers it. It is simply the best.
He makes cookies too. This is a more recent development, but it started when he would stop at Maverik every day on his way to work for breakfast. And he would get a package of peanut butter cookies, which cost him probably $0.99 every day. But in his problem solving mind, he couldn't handle paying a dollar a day for something that he could make better and cheaper himself. So he started making giant batches of delicious peanut butter cookies to take to work, and he generously shares them with all of us. (Actually, I'm not sure he is aware that he shares them..)
In short, my dad is the most wonderful person on the planet. If I was stranded on a desert island and I could pick one person to help me get off the island, it would be my dad. Because I honestly believe there is nothing that he can't do. He is a complete genius (I'm serious, his brothers nicknamed him Eddison when he was a kid because he could invent just about anything there was to invent).
And more than his brilliant mind, my dad is kind and patient. It takes a special sort of a man to raise five daughters, and when we were kids we terrorized him. I remember someone shaving his head with my mom's razor while he was napping in the bathtub. And covering his face and head with lipstick during another afternoon nap. And climbing up his back and stepping on his head every single night while he "slid" me into bed. Best dad ever.
I am so grateful to have had a worthy Priesthood holder in my home for my entire life. My father has been and continues to be such a blessing to me. And that is a tradition that was passed on by his loving, courageous and hard-working father; as well as by my mom's dad. My Grandpa Giles, or "Grampsy," as he is affectionately known, is my only living grandparent. I am so grateful and blessed that Charlie and Caroline are able to know him and spend time with him, because he is an absolutely incredible man. I learn something from him every time I am with him. We all love him dearly. And now that I am married I am so blessed to have a fantastic husband who also honors his Priesthood. Forrest is the most wonderful dad I ever could have picked for our children. He is perfectly their father, and perfectly my husband.
Today in Sacrament Meeting, the Primary children went to the front to sing to their fathers for Father's Day. They sang some darling songs with actions and smiles, and then they ended with one of my favorites, "Teach Me to Walk in the Light." On the second verse they had all the men in the congregation stand and sing with them. Tears flooded into my eyes as I looked around the chapel and all the Priesthood brethren, standing and singing with the children "Come little child and together we'll learn of His commandments that we may return home to his presence to live in His sight, always to walk in the light." It was so touching and a perfect reminder of a father's role in the home.
I am so grateful to have grandfathers, a father, and a husband who love the Lord and serve him with their whole hearts, and who love and serve their families with all their strength. My little family has been so blessed by them. To Grampsy, Dad, and Forrest, we love you. Happy Father's Day.
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