Hero Dad
Our own Angel Lee has written about her dad before here on Chasing Heroes. I can just picture him with his cowboy hat, ruggedly trekking here and there up in Northern California. Dad’s are those enigmatic creatures who we often don’t know very well, but who become clearer to us as we grow older.
Now it’s my turn. Today is my dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!
My dad is my hero. He’s part Chief, part Best Friend, and part Professor. A pretty remarkable package, really. =)
For a long time, I was just determined not to let my dad down. He intimidated me with his smarts, and he was always the one who knew everything, could win a debate hands down–no matter the topic, and I wanted nothing more than to earn his respect.
I remember so distinctly the moment in time when we transitioned from father / daughter to father / daughter / friend. While not all parents are able to let go and allow their children to grow up and be who they are, my dad was able to do just that. He has always been proud of me, always stood by me [even as he laughs and reminds me of my trying teenage years just after I’ve lamented the struggles we are having with our own teenagers], and has helped our relationship grow by letting go. He said, in so many words, that he would always be my father, would always help me however he could, but ours was a friendship now, and less a father / daughter relationship where he would only be that paternal figure.
It was a stunning realization to me that we could evolve in that way, and that, while the father / daughter piece is always there, I know he cares about me as a person and genuinely is interested in my life, as I am in his. There is a friendship now.
I may not ever be as smart as he is, or defeat him in a debate, but I think I have made him proud. I think I have earned his respect with the life that I lead, my parenting, my successes and failures, and how I handle them.
He’s taught me so much about myself, about life, about love, about responsibility, and about friendship and the relationships I hope to have with my children when they become adults.
He’s a hero. A wonderful father whom I dearly love.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
September 8th, 2008
Misa 
in
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September 8th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Happy Birthday to your dad!!!
I am my daddy’s girl, as I think everyone can tell. I do believe fathers define us as young girls first, then as we grow into women. So much of my personal strength came from my dad. I see so much of it with my sons and their daughters. They love their sons, but their daughters are capable of breaking their hearts. I hope they are as your and mine, who let us grow into who we are meant to be, with love and support only daddy can give.
And yeap, my dad is in broken down cowboy boots, and worn hat, trekking around the dry hot hills of the north. He’s now in his early 90’s, and still going strong, and sharp as ever. I want to be like my dad when I grow up.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:37 am
My hubby just became a daddy to a new baby girl. I told him without reservation that the very most important thing for the health and safety of our little girl is that she knows no matter what, Daddy loves her.
We can be hard on our Moms, but if Dad’s a hero, we love them no matter what.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
My dad and I have our difference, but I know no matter what, he will be there to support me and love me. That’s a great comfort in my life!
September 8th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
My dad is gone, but I will always be daddy’s girl. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t push me to do either.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I lost my Daddy a little over 50 years ago. I have missed him each of those years. I was the one who was outside working with him until he got too sick to be up and about. Everyone knew I was Daddy’s girl. So many of the values I have always lived by came from him. The most profound wisdom was passed on to me when we were out gathering firewood and has never been forgotten. I was 15 when he passed away so there is so much I could have learned had he been able to stay longer. Always be thankful if you still have your fathers (mothers too). Spend as much time with them and listen to what they have to say. You will never be sorry. Happy birthday to your Dad, Misa. Have a great evening and hugs to all.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Thanks for sharing wonderful thoughts about dads, everyone! Happy birthday again to mine. =)