Appreciating A Lifetime Of Dedication From Dad

Note: This is a follow-up to a Mother’s Day post from May.

Dad:

I didn’t think I could love and respect you more. A lifetime of dedication to family, unquestioned love and a fun guy to hack around with. I have always thought that you were the best! But this past year you’ve manage to exceeded my sky-high opinion of you. You have been tested beyond any reasonable expectations recently and have risen to the occasion with great class and character.

When mom went into the hospital in February it was a shock to us all but no one more than you. Your partner for over 50 years was sick, away and no longer at your side each night. Every single day since then you have driven long distances to spend a few hours comforting her, loving her as you had every single day for the past 50 years. Fighting fatigue, sadness and shock, you have been a rock for mom and for the family through these troubled times.

Your unending dedication and unwavering love for us all during these excruciating months serves as a reminder of everything you’ve done for us over the years. Sometimes these things were small, seemingly unnoticed and perhaps even taken for granted. Sometimes they were big, becoming part of family lore – stories to be told over and over during the holidays and family gatherings. But they are all small chapters in a long lifetime of you making sure our needs and happiness were always put above yours.

With the perspective of looking back over the years, everyone clearly sees what a pillar of strength and source of inspiration you have always been to our family. They say difficult times bring out the real character in people. We can see that your character is unmatched and worthy of the great love and respect your family gives to you.

I know this far from the happiest Father’s Day but please realize that this year, even more than any time in the past, it is a day where your lifetime of fatherhood is appreciated on a scale it’s never been before. I love you Dad. Happy Father’s Day.

By: Mark Quincy Adams

A proud 'pragmatic progressive' Mark Quincy Adams has been a political
talk show host and prolific pontificator since 1992. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @politicalglutton