"Where, Oh Where Did the Dad Go..." -- Ron Nielsen

Your first impression of my father would depend entirely on where you first met him. If you met him at a family reunion, you may think he is the funniest, goofy little man you have ever seen in a sombrero with a Danish accent. But if you met him at church you would think he was the most profound, enlightened man with such compassion and wisdom.

But to me my dad is both and so much more.

He really has the best sense of humor—one that he knows when to pull out and ham up. One of my favorite memories of him is of course the famous “Where, Oh Where did the wife go,” song. He would play the same two cords in different octaves over and over in this little song about Luanne. Oh, it made us kids laugh and laugh. We would dance around singing along. He had so many funny little stories that we can all still recite.

For example: “Peter Magorie”
I’ll tell you a story of Peter Magorie.
Now shall I begin…
I will tell you another of his brother.
The End.

There are so many memories I am just giggling as I type. But all the funnies aside my Dad was also a teacher—in word and deed. He taught us the basics of everything from sports to balancing the checkbook. Sorry Dad I still don’t use my register very well but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how.

Although, he often sat us down for a formal lesson in whatever it was at the time, he also taught us through his example. He taught us how to work hard. That you never miss a day of work unless you are throwing up or bleeding. Especially retiring with dignity in the old fashioned way with months of sick leave still saved up. He taught us how to have integrity and what it means to serve with dedication. He taught us how to love and show someone that you love them. I never doubted that my father loved my mother or any of us kids. He always knew how to show it and that meant more than any words could express.

I also have never doubted his love of the gospel. He has always had a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior. I always knew that and I didn’t hear him verbally bear it very often. His testimony is in how he lived everyday of his life.

And now with him serving the Lord and his fellow Mexicano hermanos, he is too far away for me to thank him in person and tell him to his face how much I love him.

So, here it goes on a public blog on the internet—plus I had to make it even, since I blogged a roast to Mom last month. Dad, you are the greatest. I love you so much and thank you for being such a wonderful example to me. You truly make everyone around you want to be a better person--including me. Happy Father's Day.