I know it's about time I posted, and this is the last day of the contest too! Short on time, I can only tell you all that I have been busy-very busy. Here goes; let's see if I can make a tribute that is even remotely accurate.

A Tribute to my Dad

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I love my dad. I don't see any other better way to begin. If you asked me why, I could spew forth pages, but as we don't have that, I will name as many as I can and hope you get the same impression I do. I am going to divide this into three parts:

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(A) Why I Love Him

(B) What He Has Done For Me

(C) What I Can Do For Him

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(A) Why I Love Him

Because he loves me. And he showes me that he loves me. He is always ready for a hug and he takes time to explain difficult subjects. He needs to reprove me often, but he does it in a gentle yet firm manner that pierces a lot farther than yelling ever could.

He is always there to protect my heart, and I know I can tell him pretty much anything (same with my mom) and when I did have feelings for someone once (not anymore, thanks to God) I was able-because of the bond of trust that we had-to tell him through Mommy about it. He is very careful about what we watch on the television also (movies and shows) and we have a TVGuardian on those very grounds!

He is the kind of father who will take you out if only for some special time together. Here, let me give you an example; say you were going to a baseball game with him or something along those lines, and you didn't really know the inner workings, plays and positions of the game-he would explain all those things to you, and point them out too-just so you would be able to enjoy the game with him!  

He works very hard at his job, and sometimes it is overwhelming to him. And still, he has that much patience that if he comes home to a messy house and bickering children, he just shrugs his shoulders, takes command and tries to make Mommy's burden lighter by stopping the bickering, and ordering a "House Rescue" which is what we refer to as cleaning up the house, then asking Mommy what he can do to help. That is what I call long-suffering!

 

If he sees me crying during a movie (which I usually try to hide, crying that is, not from him, just in general) then he will often come over, sit next to me and rub my leg. He is the kind of dad who doesn't make a big deal out it, he just offers a little comfort.

(B) What He Has Done For Me

He has inspired me and shown me what a real man of God is, and he is what I want in my future husband. He has shown me many things technological-one of his specialties-and while I don't think I could build a computer at the moment, thanks to him, I know enough to get around. :+)

He has taught me so much, and frankly, I would know only half the things I know now if not for him!

 

(C) What I Can Do For Him

 

I can show him what a true daughter can be, I can be his ray of sunshine when he comes home, I can tell him about what my day was like, I can make him laugh. I can show him that I care about what he has to say, I can show him that when I apologize, I mean it.

I can be a comfort or a burden, a joy or a pain, an optimist or a pessimist, a good listener or a brush-off. "If you love me you will do what I command you." I will show my father that I love him by listening, learning, and doing.

I love you, Daddy!

Love from Within,

~Mariel~

P.S. I wrote most of this on the fourteenth, but we had to go somewhere so I didn't finish it, but still, you don't have to be in a contest to write a loving note about your father. You should be lifting him up in ways like this every single day. (Sorry, Jocelyn. I would have been on time! I will still say I wrote this on the 14th though, because--technically--I did!)