Happy Father's Day

One of the most important roles on this planet, in my opinion, is that of a Father. My father did the best he could with what he knew, but he would admit that he failed more times than he succeeded at being a father to me and my siblings. I missed out on that special Father/Daughter relationship throughout my childhood and well into my adult years. Through forgiveness, I'm thankful that I made peace with him and we were able to enjoy a mutually respectful relationship the last 5 years of his life. I truly miss him. If you're a Father, be sure your children know you love them, that you'd die or fight for them if you had to.  Be their hero. 

And if you're a divorced Father, that's not an excuse to neglect your children. They need you.  Any man can make a child, but that doesn't make him a Father. Take your role serious. Your child's identity and well-being depend on it.  My two oldest daughters' biological Father was never around for them. He's caused them more pain throughout their lives than any man they've ever known. He abandoned, ignored and neglected them. It wasn't only their loss to have not have known the love, protection and respect from their biological Father, but it was his loss as well.  I've seen first hand the effects the lack of an earthly Father's love has on the future decisions of their young and adult children.  I've lived it myself.  

Towards the end of my Dad's life, he would often say he wished he'd done so many things differently, mostly the kind of Father he was. Although I knew he genuinely meant what he said, it didn't change the past.  Even though we came to a healthier place in our relationship, of which I'm forever grateful, it couldn't change what could have been. I truly believe that haunted him and proved to be the greatest regret in his life.

If you didn't have a Father that loved, nurtured, protected and honored you, that's no excuse to be that same kind of Father to your own children! Change the legacy and break the cycle. Your children are depending on you! They are rooting for you! No matter what kind of Father you've been up till now, you have the power to change it! Ask The Lord to help you. Ask Him to show you how to be the Father He's called you to be. Seek forgiveness, even beg for it, if you have to! I would bet that no matter what you've done, your children will run to you with open arms! Even as an adult woman, I never stopped praying, hoping, wishing and longing for my earthy Father to accept and love me.  I never stopped desiring that special relationship a daughter longs for with her Father or his approval.  I desperately wanted to know he was proud of me. So, pick up the phone, drive to their home, walk down the hallway. Wherever your children are, go to them and make wrong things right.  Pride will destroy you. Humble yourself before them. 

On your death bed, I don't believe you'll be saying "I wish I'd spent more time at work".  If you're still here and you have children, it's not too late . Make things right. Make things better. Be the Father that God called you to be. Your children will inherit the rewards of your decision. Or they will suffer because of them. It's your choice. You decide. 

Happy Father's Day. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

This was a wild, crazy fun weekend, filled with parties! It started with Teryn's baby shower on Saturday (it's a boy!), followed by Salem's 5th Birthday Party on Sunday afternoon and my party on Sunday night! It started out with my younger sister (pictured in the afro!) flying in and surprising me from Orlando, Florida on Friday morning.  It was awesome!  She's my best friend, confidante, cheerleader and one of the most incredible women I've ever known. 

Yesterday was my actual 50th Birthday, but the partying started on Friday!  Yes, I'm 50!  There, I said it.  Some people are very uncomfortable sharing their age with others. Not me. Age is relative.  I truly believe you can be in your 70's or 80's, yet still feel much younger inside! I look in the mirror sometimes and think, "Who are YOU, and what have you done with ME?!"  I thank God for one great thing that come with age.  Wisdom.  I have more knowledge and wisdom about life than I ever had when I was younger.  Sure, I've made many mistakes in my lifetime (I'm sure I'll make more before I'm done here), but each one of them taught me something.  OK, I admit, there are some things I wish I could have a "do over".  The last serious relationship was a nightmare, but all in all, I am who I am because of the decisions I've made. As I've matured, I've come to truly like myself.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not where I need to be yet, but at least I'm not where I used to be! And, I call that progress!

For the past few months, my daughters have been planning a surprise birthday party for me.  And, was I surprised! In our family, this is a milestone, but, they pulled it off.  I am a 70's MUSIC FANATIC!  I own the Time Life 70's Collection and I listen to Hippie Radio Nashville practically every day. My girls' know me well.  They grew up on Barry Manilow, the Eagle, Chicago, Helen Reddy, ABBA and so on.  And, they love it almost as much as I do.  So, I was beyond excited when they told me we were dressing up in 70's garb and going out on the town! 

My birthday was on June 2, but Salem, my granddaughter, turned 5 and the day before on June 1! So, it was an incredible weekend of fun, fun, fun it was! I was able to spend it with not only all four of my daughters, but my sister as well!

After Salem's gymnastics birthday party on Saturday, my daughters informed me that I needed to go shopping. They told me I had to put a 70's outfit together and show up at Teryn and Chad's house no earlier than 7:30 pm the next day. The story was that there was a limo coming to take us out on the town. I thought that was awesome, considering how much I LOVE 70's music.

So, my sister, Brenda, (who'd actually gifted me with my first surprise when she flew in from Orlando the day before), and I made a quick trip to Good Will! It took us literally 10 minutes to find my outfit and we were ready to partay!!

So, the next day, Sunday, around 7:20, my sister, Brenda and daughter, Kolby, blindfolded me, put me in the car and drove us to Teryn's house (she lives exactly 11 minutes from me). They said they wanted to surprise me with the kind of limo they rented.  In reality, they didn't want me to see all the cars surrounding Teryn and Chad's house!

As they guided me in, I was filled with excitement. I just assumed they wanted to surprise me with their outfits! But, to my delight, when they took of the blindfold, the house was filled with so many people I love. It was the best birthday party I've ever had!

Doug Griffin, my good friend, is a radio DJ here in Nashville, who also DJ's weddings and parties on the weekends. He brought his music, board and even the disco balls.  We danced as he played my favorite 70's music all night long!  Literally. My feet still hurt from dancing the night away, but it was well worth it!  If you ever need a GREAT DJ, call Doug!  He's the BEST!

Here are just a couple pictures from the night. It was wonderful being with people who mean so much to me. I missed those who couldn't make it, but they'll come next year.  I've already decided this will become a yearly tradition! Thank you to my amazing daughters for pulling this off, to my sister for flying in from Florida and to my wonderful friends who shared the evening with me, some driving hours to be here!  I'm felt so loved and truly blessed.

I've already started planning next year's party and looking for my outfit.  I'm thinking GoGo Boots?!:)