Celebrating My Dad

Our blog posts in June will focus on reflections surrounding fathers, fatherhood, and their influence in our lives.

​By Theresa Mabry
​Encompass Director of Operations

My dad’s 82nd birthday is this Friday, June 28th. Normally, I would celebrate with him, eating some peach pie or cobbler, hanging out with the family, laughing, and enjoying his stories. But that celebration won’t happen with him because he is no longer living on earth with me. My dad passed away way too young. He was 54 years old, and I was only 26. Our time together was way too short-lived and I would give anything to have him here in person; especially in June to celebrate Father’s Day and his birthday. 

So, I will celebrate him this year by sharing some of the life lessons I learned from him even in our short time together.

• My dad was a great dad who loved his wife and kids. He showed that we always came first for him. He provided for us and was a hard worker who started his own small construction business primarily in the summers when he was not teaching as a way to make ends meet financially.
• He was a great teacher in many areas of life: in his profession as a junior high math teacher, as a basketball coach, adult Sunday School teacher at church, and teaching construction skills to others during his summers off from school. Teaching was in his blood.
• He also enjoyed being a lifelong learner in many subjects and never stopped asking questions to better himself. One of his favorite pastimes was reading the Wall Street Journal and learning everything about finances.
• Dad loved fishing, being out on the lake, swaying gently in the boat, and being patient for the big catch. He would go to Canada twice a year, once with the guys and once with the family where he delighted in seeing us make the big catch.
• He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. He was quick-witted and always had a funny saying to share life lessons.
• He was a devoted friend and loved and respected by many.

These are not all of the life lessons I learned from him, but these are the ones that came quickly to my mind. I miss my dad. He was my hero, and I was “daddy’s little girl.” I try to share his life lessons with my kids since they never got to know him. And when I do that, I celebrate him the best way I know how because I share a piece of him with others.

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