I shared a memory about my dad in a recent newsletter for our extended family that was doing a tribute to him for his upcoming 50th Birthday and wanted to share it here as well.

In reminiscing about my childhood I have so many wonderful memories of my dad, I could write a novel! Instead, though, I'm just going to share one short memory (and pieces of a few others).  It is my very first vivid memory, and it paints a pretty good picture of my dad and all the great times we've shared.

I must have been about 6 or 7, I'm not sure, but my family was camping at Lake Meridian. We camped together pretty often, and I always loved it (apparently I was tougher then and didn't mind the heat and the bugs so much, lol)! My dad, Ryan and I had set off to hike around the lake. We've often gone hiking or walking together. I have to mention briefly a few other times that really stand out. One time was when we went to Banff Canada, I think I was around 11. We were walking up a small gravel road to the top of a mountain, after riding a gondola lift most of the way up. What I remember most isn't the scenery which I'm sure was breathtaking, but rather my dad holding my hand so I wouldn't be scared. I have a pretty intense fear of heights, but I have even more trust in my dad. He'd risk his life for me...actually he kinda has. Once when I was in High School we were hiking up a mountain in Colorado, being adventurous and making our own path. We got to a place where I had to climb over some rocks very near a ledge and I was too scared to do it. So my dad climbed down over the side of the ledge and positioned himself precariously standing on a stone that jutted out so that he could hold my hands as I climbed over the rocks(hopefully it was less dangerous than I remember it being, lol). Hmm, now those memories seem more impressive than the one I was in the process of sharing. But I'm going to go back to it now anyway.

My dad, Ryan and I had been walking for some time, and at some point my dad has started singing. Music being a mainstay in our house, this seemed completely normal to us and we joined him in song. I occasionally realize that spontaneously breaking out in song, and especially randomly singing in public may not be very normal for most people, but it always has been for us. In fact quite often several of us will simultaneously start singing the same song (and sometimes different ones).

So, we were walking and singing, and the thing I remember most clearly is when we entered a small clearing in the trees. It was autumn and the ground was completely coated in brightly colored leaves. My dad was leading the way, and we were all exuberantly singing "I have decided to follow Jesus." That small moment has stuck with me all these years, not because it was anything really grand and exciting...though I have lots of those memories too. It was beautiful and we were having a great time, but  I think I primarily remember it because it has been a picture for me that really represents my childhood. My dad always spent a lot of time with us. We may not have always gone out and done expensive things, but we'd throw a frisbee at the park, or try to fly a kite or whatever, and my dad always made it fun. And even more importantly, he led me in my faith and has always been a man of God whom I can look up to and walk with as we follow Jesus together.

He's a wonderful dad, and once Raemi has more than a dozen words in her vocabulary, I'm sure she'll tell you that he's a fantastic Grandpa, too. For now you'll just have to take my word for it. He's so great with her. When she's tired he'll walk around and hold her till she falls asleep with her head on his shoulder. If she's fussy he'll go outside with her and let her play with the wind chimes or watch the dogs romp around. And when she wants to play he'll scoot around the floor on his belly chasing her just to make her giggle (then again that makes us ALL giggle, lol). Of course, all you'd really have to do is look at the beautiful handmade cradle and rocking horse he made her to know how much he loves her.