Father's Day article I wrote

Hey all! I think some of you know that I work at a newspaper and write a weekly article for our local paper & this week I wanted to recognize Fathers' Day. Below is what I wrote:

I know it is a week late but I wanted to have time to put together a proper article about (besides my husband, David and my sons, Damis and Shiloh) the two greatest men in my life.
Way back in 2002 the Clifton, Martin and Zowie clans gathered in Beeville to celebrate Christmas with my parents. I had wanted to do something special for the “dads” in my life, my biological one and the one that I was so blessed to have gained when I married David but by 2002, had lost.
My dad. What can I say about him? Growing up and even after I left home to spread my wings a few times and then the final time when I got married, he has always been one of the hardest working people that I have ever known.
He was with the same company from his 20’s until he retired in his 50’s and although when I was growing up he wasn’t around as much as we would have liked he was out doing what he needed to do to support his family and make sure we never went without.
Times were hard but we never went hungry or didn’t have a roof over our heads.
He is strong willed and determined even to this day; now in his 70’s he has been battling cancer for years and still he works harder than a lot of younger men that I know. I love you, dad!
My late father-in-law, Henry. First and foremost the thing I regret most about knowing him is that it wasn’t nearly long enough. Damis barely got to know him since he was a baby when PawPaw Henry died and Shiloh never got to meet him.
I would have given anything for Henry to have been around for their growing up years, attend their graduations, marriages and be able to meet his great-grandchildren. But that wasn’t meant to be.
What do I remember most about him? He was a kind, loving man and welcomed me immediately into the family. He was there for David and I whenever we needed him and, like my own dad, he was a very hard worker.
Whatever it took to support his family, he did it tirelessly and without complaint. I love and miss you, Henry!
So, in 2002 I did come up with a tribute to both of them. Myself, my sister, Sabrina, and my sister-in-law, Jennifer, sang songs; one that reflected the influence my dad had in my life and one that I thought summed up my thoughts when I looked at David and thought of Henry.
For my dad:
“Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn
I remember daddy’s hands folded silently in prayer, and reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare. You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines, years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember daddy’s hands how they held my mama tight, and patted my back for something done right. There are things I’ve forgotten that I loved about the man, but I’ll always remember the love in daddy’s hands.
I remember daddy’s hands working ‘til they bled, sacrificing unselfishly just to keep us all fed. If I could do things over I’d live my life again and never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands.
Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’, daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong. Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’d come to understand, there was always love in daddy’s hands.
For my late father-in-law, Henry:
“My Father in Me” by Paul Overstreet
Last night we brought the children by to visit their grandpa, and it’s plain to see they’re truly part of him. While we were there their grandma took out some old photographs, man, he sure looked a lot like me back then.
And today I took my wife for a walk down that old dirt road where my daddy took my mom so many times. And we found the time to mention things we never had before and we shared some thoughts about the family life.
And now lookin’ back I can recall the times we disagreed when I could not take hold of his old fashioned ways. And the more I tried to prove him wrong the more I proved him right, now I know why he still stood by me when I went through that stage.
I’m seein’ my father in me, I guess that’s how it’s meant to be and I find I’m more and more like him each day.
I notice I walk the way he walks, I notice I talk the way he talks. I’m startin’ to see my father in me. And I'm happy to see my father in me.
I love you both!

very sweet I enjoyed reading it!

Great article, Misti! You have a really nice way with words. Very touching. :Gjob:

How sweet. Thanks for sharing it.

That is a wonderful article, Misti. And the lyrics to the 2 songs you chose are very touching. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing it, Misti!

Aw, that was beautiful Misti! Thanks for sharing it.