Daddy’s are one of a kind. Not a cookie cutter in the bunch. Their personalities outnumber the thirty-one flavors at the ice cream parlor. Dads come in all sizes and shapes. Dads get up every morning to jobs that are as night and day from the other. In my family alone we have a control room operator, mill guy, custodian, truck driver, dentist and a funeral director; all million dollar hard workers, dedicated at providing the best care for their families.
Daddies are the centerpiece of the home. The table set isn’t complete without their presence centered in the hearts of their children. The impact they have follows through the generations. The hand-print they leave doesn’t involve money or lavished gifts. Their legacy will be written in memories broken down in moments, small pockets of time spent for no other reason than “just because.”
A few months ago at their papa’s 60th birthday party, the grandchildren were asked to recall their fondest memory spent with their grandfather. Having ten grandchildren with eight that could talk and two babies unable, all gave vivid memories framed in the “little things”. Our seven year old Ethan said it best, “What I love about my papa is that he comes to my games and buys me chips and pop at the Dollar General.”
While there is nothing wrong about being that hero in your child’s eyes, they really just want you to be that “chips and pop” kind of dad, making memories with them framed in the “little things”.
I can’t imagine any child not treasuring the time their dad spent helping them conquer the two-wheeler without those training wheels. Dad passing on his confidence in them that the world is their stage; they can do anything; they can do this!
Boys sure watch their daddy’s with eyes following them everywhere. They want to be like daddy morning, noon and night. It’s these moments that write the pages and chapters of a “father – son” best seller.
Daughters are smitten with their daddies also. Daddies are their only boyfriend before that man one day sweeps her off her feet. Until then, little girls love simple time with their daddy; like time spent together on her rope swing, a swing daddy made especially for her and moments for them.
Daughters love to tag along, having daddy all to herself. Hand in hand she follows daddy’s footsteps, trusting his lead along the way. These walks around the block will follow her the days of her life, never tiring a stolen moment with dad.
Blossoming into a princess, daddy is her prince charming when he serves his “lady in waiting” in the glamour she delights in. A precious few minutes together, to be remembered a lifetime by daddy’s little girl.
Memories don’t cost anything but time and your heart. Memories are dividing up your collection of rods and walking to the pond with your grandchildren a few streets a way to see what fish are biting.
Memories are made with your eyes beholding the child God gave to a daddy.
Memories that children remember will not revolve around daddy’s money or the lavish, but the moments he framed in the “little things”; their hero dressed as a “chips and pop” kind of dad.
Daddy’s, your little girls will only be little for a short period of time. They are Cinderella’s wanting you to teach them to dance for her ball. One day you’ll blink and realize she’s all grown up. The days pass by so quickly.
Frame a moment with her and teach your Cinderella to dance.
Below is an impromptu moment between a papa and his granddaughter,
Their Cinderella Moment Together.
Video Courtesy of Debbie Hritz
Song: CINDERELLA, By Steven Curtis Chapman
Apples of Gold Encouragement 