My Daddy

This is my daddy when he was a little boy.  Isn't he cute?
Then he grew up, became a man and married my mom.

Less than a year later, he became my daddy.  I was the first of four children.

I am so grateful that I grew up in a loving home with a mother and a father.

When I was a child, I thought my dad was the greatest- don't all little girls think
their dads are the best?   Of course, I didn't know how blessed I was.  Today's
statistics show that more than 38% of children live in homes with no father.
It is becoming a national plight with devastating consequences.   Children
need a father to be involved in their lives and to teach and train them.  My
daddy was always there for his children.  He worked hard and expected us
to do the same.  He went to church and took us with him.  He was at every
dance recital and ball game.  He took his family on a vacation each summer
and helped us build memories that have bonded our family.  He knew it was
important for us to be close to our grandparents and we spent lots of time
with all of them.  He encouraged us to do well in school and was pleased
when we were successful.  He took us on rides on his motorcycle and taught
all his girls to slow dance by letting us stand on his feet. He was not a strict
disciplinarian.  He let my mom handle that and now my siblings and I can
laugh at some of the creative ways in which she attempted to correct us.
As an adult, I continue to learn from him.  He has a servant's heart.  He
modeledthat as he took care of my mom and then my grandmothers.
He still spends time at the nursing center helping out where he is needed
and mows his neighbors yards.  He cares about other people.

He even helped Kenzie when she was doing a service project to make quilts.

 Each time we are together I am grateful for the fun times we have.

We are making birdhouses out of gourds that he grew in his garden.  He is

an avid gardener and I often benefit from his talents.  He has helped to 

motivate me to improve in my gardening skills.

Our family reunions have become great times of fun.  This is our fifth year

and Dad is always right in the middle of things. (as he should be!)

Even with everyone's busy schedules, we make it a priority to be together at 

Christmas.  Dad always wears red and sometimes even dons Santa's hat.

This year we celebrated his 70th birthday with a surprise party that was

fun for the whole family.

It makes him happy to be surrounded by his family and each passing year

I realize more and more how truly blessed I am to have him in my life.  I

am grateful for his continued love and support.  No matter how old a girl 

gets, she still needs her daddy.

I love you, daddy.  Happy Father's Day!

John Sturdivant at 26 years old.