SMILE #169 Fathers

In honor of fathers day, I just want to say that all the fathers in my life make me smile, and I am TRULY grateful for each and every one of them.  First off, my own father.  He is and always has been a very patient, loving, and kind father, who worked so hard to give his family what they needed.  He knows how to save his money, so that he could take his family of 8 kids on vacations every year.  He knows how to make things enjoyable for his grandchildren.  He knows how to love people unconditionally!  I'm grateful for my dad, and I love him very much.  I found this article from the 1978 Ensign, it's titled Being a Real Dad, and it's everything my dad is, and has done for not only me, but all his children. I love you dad!

My Father in-law is another father in my life.  He knows how to make someone feel special, and can take a joke and laugh, even when it's on him!  He's not afraid to try new things, even when he may fail at times.  He raised a good son, who was worthy to take me to the temple, and I'm grateful that he is such a good grandfather to my children.

Last, but not least, I owe a huge smile of gratitude to the father of my children!  He works day in and day out for our family, so I can have the opportunity to stay home with my children.  He takes care of the yard work, the finances, the dirty work when kids are sick.....the list goes on.  Even after a long hard day at work, he still finds the energy to play with his kids, and give them that special time.  The father of my children, is kind, and patient and does a great job in finding the good in all things!  I really am so lucky that I found him, and that we are sealed for all eternity! I know of no other man, that could work for me and my family as he does for us.  I love him, and am blessed everyday by his 'awesomeness' ;)  

Make sure and give your father, or the father figure in your life, and hug, and tell them that you love them!  Even if you do not have the best relationship, it could change lives.  I taught the Young Womens lesson last Sunday, and it was a lot on fathers.  At the end was this story, and I truly believe it can happen to anyone that has the desire and the will to make things better with a family member!  Take time to read this story.  It's not very long, but has a great message!

Story

Some of the young women may feel that it would be difficult to express their love and support to their fathers. You might wish to have a young woman tell the following story:

When Sister Lois Christensen was a girl, her Sunday School teacher asked each class member to tell her father that she loved him. Lois felt that this was an impossible assignment for her to fill. Her father was not active in the Church, and the communication gap between them was wide. Love was never expressed verbally in her family. She stayed after the other class members had left to tell her teacher she couldn’t do it. In her own words, she says:

“But Sister Innes wasn’t convinced. She looked at me and said, ‘No matter what your dad is or does, he needs to hear those words from you, just as much as any other dad needs to hear them. I want you to promise me you’ll fill this assignment.’”

“I agreed, and during the next few days I felt a great burden. I knew it would only be lifted when I fulfilled my commitment. One night, after the others had gone to bed, I nervously waited for the right moment to say those words. Dad was smoking a cigarette and stood up to put the ashes in the trash. With a trembling, nervous, almost inaudible voice I said, ‘Dad, I love you.’

“He had his back to me, and he didn’t turn around or say anything or do anything. I was sure he hadn’t heard me. And so, weakly, I repeated it. ‘Dad, I love you.’ And then, very slowly, he turned toward me. My insensitive, untouchable dad had tears streaming down his cheeks. He put his arms around me and held me close and kissed the top of my head. That was the first time in my sixteen years that I could remember my dad and me embracing.

“Today I’m a mother with my own big family. I love you is a familiar phrase, used often in our home. And what of my beloved dad? Today he is a high priest, working diligently at building up the kingdom of God” (Lois Christensen, “Telling My Father I Loved Him,” Ensign, Feb. 1978, p. 51).

Why does your Dad make you smile?