I Get To Be the Dad!

I suppose this story isn't really about faith but it is a story that definitely impacted me and pointed out some things I needed to change in my life at the time.

In the  Winter of 1979 (probably Jan-Feb as Jake was born in early Mar), I was finishing up a home we were building at 444 South 400 West in Brigham City Utah.  With help from our family and friends we had built it ourselves without assistance from contractors or other skilled labor.  We purchased the 1.4 acre lot for $8,000. which was included in our $35,000. loan we took out to build the simple 1180 sq. ft. home (a few tools were purchased as well).

We had the house mostly finished and were hoping to move into it before Jake was born but knew it would be close.  I would work on it every night after getting home from my normal day-job working at Thiokol and then again all day on Saturday so it made for some long days and weeks.

Since my wife was approximately 8 months pregnant and not feeling well, I would often take my 3 daughters, Wendy (almost 6 at the time) Heidi (almost 4) and 2 year old Kami with me and they would play together while I worked.

One particular evening they were playing in the stairwell and I was working within close proximity around the corner where I could monitor them and hear their every word.  They were playing quite well together (which was not always the case) ... until they decided they were going to play family.  I heard one of them say joyfully, "I get to be the dad," followed by another, "No, I get to be the dad."  Just a little bit louder and then a third, "I get to be the dad."

Well you can imagine that my chest puffed up just a bit with pride and a slight smile pursed my lips until the final blow as Wendy (the eldest) stomped her foot and yelled, "No, I'm the oldest and I GET TO BE THE DAD", followed immediately by, "ALRIGHT YOU KIDS! YOU GET TO BED RIGHT NOW!"

Of course, as I thought of this over time I wondered just what would my children remember the most about me as their father?  I tried to become a more patient and loving dad, succeeding at times and maybe not so much at others.  It's times like these that make us reevaluate our lives and other's perceptions of us can, if we are wise, help us stay on track with our goals in life.

I love my children and have learned some valuable life lessons from them.  I hope I can return the favor as I strive to continually improve and devote my life to Christ-like living.