Fathers

With Fathers Day
this weekend
I wanted to honor
the Fathers in my life.

First "My Dad"
Dave Jones
He passed away 31 years ago, I was only 21. I have always wished I was one of the older kids in the family, so that I would have had more adult years, to get to know my dad better. Here are a few of my memories: His short buzzed hair cut, proud to be an American, dressed in his fatigues, jumping with the Utah National Guard on the weekends (yes parachuting was his favorite thing to do), working on cars, working on the house (remodeling something), working with the catering, washing dishes at the weddings, making pastries, hard worker, he could fix anything, dancing around the house, always smiling and gave big hugs.

Second My Father In-Law
Vance Whipple
When I married Garry, I was welcomed with open arms by my Father In-Law (my Mother In-Law also). He also passed away way too early, but I did get the privilege of getting to know him quite well. Some memories: Always complimented me and others, he would stop by the house on his way home from his buying trips to New York for a visit, tapes of fun music he liked to share with us, good business man, he was a great storyteller, loved to go for hikes, took the kids for picnics and hiked the rocks in Heber, and shared his good advice with us.

Third Grandpa
Wallace Stowell
When Garry and I married, one of the big perks for me was to gain an amazing Grandma and Grandpa. I never had the chance to know any of my own Grandparents, they all passed away before I was born. So to have a grandpa was a new and wonderful experience. Garry and I lived in the same ward as Grandma and Grandpa when we first married , they invited us over for Sunday dinners and family nights. Grandpa taught us so much about how to treat each other, serving others, serving in the church, to love chocolate chip cookies and a hand full of chocolate chips out of the freezer. I loved having the influence of a wise and loving Granfather in my life, I really miss him!

Fourth My Favorite Father
Garry Whipple
When you got married you really have no idea what you are getting as far as whether your spouse will make a good father. For me I didn't know Garry's family to be able to judge, I just knew that I really loved him and that he was fun, kind, loving and a gentleman to me (not to mention he gave me butterfly's every time I was around him). I really struck it rich when I found Garry, he has been a great husband and father ( still gives me butterfly's).
What makes him a good dad? Works hard, plays hard, good provider, the rebar genius, full of good advice, good example, dedicated to church service, idea man, problem solver, loves his family, loves his wife, will do anything to protect and defend his family, forgiving, keeps everyone posted on sports and current events, master of useless trivia, great letter writer, amazing smile and a good storyteller (if he could only finish one dang sentence).

Garry as a new father, WOW! Time changes things.