I, on the other hand, see a motorcycle and think of love. My father loved motorcycles. He loved to ride them, fix them, talk about them, buy them, trade them in. He loved the speed and the freedom. And I think maybe my addiction to running provides a little bit of that same feeling for me.
I am so, so very lucky to have had such a great father. I never once had to question how he felt about me and our family and I am comforted by the fact that he knew how much he was loved. He taught me so many things and today I am thankful for all that he taught me.
1. My dad taught me how to eat crab legs.
2. My dad taught me to look at all sides of a problem or argument, and not just my own.
3. My dad taught me to stop fighting with my sister because “You two only have each other!”
4. My dad taught me how to plug up my sister’s nostrils while she was napping on the couch because it was pretty funny.
5. My dad taught me to how appreciate history.
6. My dad taught me how to drive a stick shift.
7. My dad taught me how to swing a golf club (although I’m still terrible).
8. My dad taught me patience. With two very sassy daughters, he, my mom, and step mom are pretty much saints.
9. My dad taught me how to forgive and move on. He always said to not dwell on past relationships and don’t think of those people in a bad way. It just wasn’t meant to be.
10. My dad taught me to only worry about what I can control. If I can’t control it, there’s no sense wasting the energy on worry.
This list could go on and on, and I’m getting all teary just typing it, But I’ll save some of it for another time. If there is one thing I can say to you all it’s please always tell those you love how you feel about them and cherish every moment you have together, because you never know how much time you truly have.
So, dear readers, what are you thankful for today?
What a precious post!
I am thankful for so many things but after reading your post… I am most thankful for the family that I have – who loves me unconditionally, even when they don't show it.
Sounds like Dad was a pretty cool dude!
I always get so choked up when you talk about your Dad. I wish I could have known him. He sounds amazing, just like you. <3
Wonderful post. He lives on through your thoughtfulness and wisdom.
beautiful.
today i am thankful for my wonderful husband and two great teens.
I am thankful for your "Thankful Thursday" post…
Your dad must be soo proud of the wonderful woman you have become!
Amazing post Beth! I'm choked up over here. He would be so proud!
Awesome post…I am thankful for your post today that is making me think about my dad and just how amazing he really is!
+1
I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing and for some words of wisdom. Cheers.
What a great post. It makes me want to call my Dad and tell him I love him. I think I'll go do that. Thank you for sharing this.
Oh Beth, this post was beautiful and so touching. It made me cry. And just like Katie, I sent my dad an e-mail and asked him if I can meet him for lunch next week.
I know your dad must be so proud of the woman he raised. You are awesome, and he surely had a lot to do with that.
I hope you find comfort in all of the wonderful memories of your time with him.
I am thankful for my two daughters… and hoping I can be nearly as good a father as yours seems to have been.
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. Today, I'm thankful for you! I so appreciate your vulnerability in sharing this with us. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make…
Thank you for posting this. It's real, and it's you. And I'm thankful for having read it and for being reminded to cherish the people in my life.
Great post. As I get older, and have 2 daughters, I often find myself trying to remember my Dad at my age. Do I remember what he was like when I was in 4th grade (as my older daughter is now.) What will they remember of me?
Thank you for sharing this with us – your daddy would be proud, you are a strong, confident, funny lady.
Life is really short, I say that all the time and make it my mantra. It's too short to dwell on the negative or those who are negative, your father was right in that sense.
I am thankful for my fam and my job. We are lucky people and I never let that leave my thoughts as I go through each day.
Huggss to you girly!
Thank you for sharing this with us…
oh wow i got teary just reading that! Thanks for sharing it with us..that was such a wonderful post. It sounds like you had an amazing dad and he raised and equally amaizng daughter!
Love this. Shout out to pops, he sounds like a great parent 🙂 big hug to you, as I am sure the memories are sometimes bittersweet.
I am big on living in the moment and cherishing loved ones–too many people let days, months, years drag by without mending fences. Today I am thankful for you (cause you are awesome and for this "life lesson" reminder) and for a busier day at work so that it passes quicker 🙂
Very touching post…your dad sounds like he was a wonderful man! Thank you so much for sharing…
Wow. You are amazing. I can't imagine losing one of my parents, but I know that day has to come at some point.
I'm thankful for the ability for me to run. Today, it was a slow run, but I was still out there. That is more than I can say for most people. 😉
I am thankful my Dad is still around to be the cool guy he has always been.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for a reminder to NEVER take my Dad for granted. I got to spend quite a bit of time with him last weekend and it was the first time in a few months that I got to spend so much time with him and it was great.
I'm glad that you have such fond memories of your father. XO
Sounds like your dad is pretty cool. And I got teary-eyed just reading this post. I can't imagine the flood of emotions you are experiencing.
I'm so sorry B…but how wonderful that you have such positive memories!
I am so very sorry for your loss. My dad died 15 months ago, and I am incredibly thankful that we had time together to say goodbye. Today's got to be a hard day. Hang in there!
You know… I was just thinking today that I should write a post sometime in the future about my father, who is also passed away, and then I read yours. Awesome post. I'm, obviously after reading the above, thankful for the great childhood my father gave me!
I'm thankful for the spirit of your post. While my father's been a pretty terrible dad, your post made me remember the things that he did tech me and how I'm a stronger person because of them.
Oh my, I may cry. There are very few things in life that scare me, but losing my father is one of them. He is so near and dear to my heart, I really can't imagine what I will do when he is gone.
thank you for the reminder and for your courage to forgive
Beautiful, thoughtful, inspiring post…. just like YOU. Your dad sounds amazing. What a beautiful tribute to his memory.
In addition to being thankful for my family, I'm thankful for your post!
First of all, thanks for sharing!
I lost my only sister in a car accident too. She was a pedestrian and was struck by an older guy driving a Cadillac running a red light. Although she was only 8 when she died, she taught me so many lessons that have stuck with me to this day. So in all my marathoners, we have deep conversations at mile 23 because that was always her favorite number.
For the rest of the day, I will be thankful that she was a part of my life and taught me so many things and brought great joy to my life.
Thank you!
What a beautiful tribute to your father. <3
I'm thankful for my dad. thanks for that.
What a beautiful post. You are a lucky girl to have had a dad like that.
I can't imagine losing my dad – I'm very, very thankful for him! Some of the things your dad taught you, my dad taught me and so it made me smile to read them and think back on those things. *hugs*
Very touching. Thank you for reminding me of all the things an all the people I should be thankful for before it's too late.