Father's Day - Second Half

On Father's Day evening, I went with three of my kids and my sister and her husband to visit my father. He is now in his 87th year and aging terribly. He is loosing it mentally as well, very forgetful and struggling to understand it all. When I was a child, I thought he would liver forever. He was the hardest worker I have ever known! He expected all of us to put in days as long as he did. He demanded that we get up at 6:00am every summer day and work! We were expected to work until 2:00 pm or longer if there was a specific job that needed to be finished. We all knew how to play hard too but not my dad. He would work until the cows came home (even if we didn't have cows!) We lived on 4 and a half acres, an acre of that being a vegetable garden. We hoed endless rows of corn. Dad's idea of going out to eat was taking a salt shaker out in the garden and eating everything raw with watermelon for dessert.

I complained a lot as a youth for having to get up and work, work, work! I would add that all of my friends got to sleep in during the summer and I had to get up at 6:00am. Dad was determined to "do it while it was cool." Now looking back, and even though I hated it so much as a kid, I am more grateful than ever. My father taught me the value of hard work, and to work until the the job is done and then play. The play becomes that much more enjoyable! I am who I am partly because of my hard working, teaching father. It is hard to see him not as sharp and more feeble than he has ever been. I know it will only get worse as he gets older. After spending time with him on Father's Day, I do not want to get his age.

Here we are with him. Notice his stooped stance. I am sure it is from all the hard work he has done over the years. At his height he was 5' 11". I am 5' 5". So he has shrunk a little.




Thanks Dad for all of your teaching and training. And thanks for being tough and expecting your kids to work. I think the world needs more Dads like you.

Father's Day surprise

We go to Utah to enjoy the beautiful weather and the gorgeous mountains. Summer is great here because it allows us to be outside during June and July. But we love going because we get to spend time with family. This year, we are staying at my sister Winnifred's house. She and my brother-in-law have some pretty cool friends. Just after coming home from church on Father's day some of these friends stopped by. They were in the neighborhood and were just picking up a few items for their home. It was quite delightful to see them both. My friendship with them goes back to high school, when I was in their home several times with their son Matt. On this particular day, I had the opportunity to introduce my family to them. I am sure that General Conference will never be the same at our house when he is at the pulpit. He keep calling Seth "Split" because of the logo on his shirt and Megan "Highland" because of her jacket. When he left, more than one of my kids commented on how funny he was. They are dear people, and I hope my kids never forget meeting Elder and Sister Holland.