Thank you, Dad

Today is Father’s Day 2009. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

I wanted to write a Father’s Day post to my dad, Louie Chavez, and to share some thoughts about him.

If there has been one thing I’ve taken for granted growing up, it’s my dad. My parents have been married for 40 years this past May. They married late in life.

How ironic it is that my dad and I were both the same age when we had our first child (37 years old). Thank God that at least my son and stepson still have grandpa around. I pray that God keeps him here with us for as long as possible. The Bible says:

Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers. –Proverbs 17:6.

It has taken me nearly 40 years to truly appreciate my parents, but mostly my father. Dad wasn’t perfect, but what father is except God? I will say he was darned near close to it. Oftentimes, I find myself feeling like I will never measure up to my dad. I’m not speaking in terms of wealth or prosperity. No, I’m speaking in terms of patience, kindness, generosity, approachability and self-sacrifice.

Dad had both of his parents, and to the best of my knowledge, his grand-parents remained married for life as well. It’s a legacy that cannot be under-estimated and one that, by the will and grace of God, I want to continue for my son and stepson. Dad had a great relationship with his dad; he talked of it often. Even to this day, as my dad enters his late 70′s, he still speaks with such fondness of his dad. They had a very close relationship but it wasn’t the same for my dad and I as I entered high school. For some reason we grew apart, and in retrospect, maybe it was just teenage angst or pride.

Still, in my pre-teen and teenage years, I would spent summers and school-time Saturdays with my dad at his auto repair shop. My dad has always been in the automotive business. It strikes me as odd that for years my dad was a business-owner but I never seemed to quite grasp that concept. I still struggle with the desire to be on my own and do my own thing but have seemingly convinced myself that I’ll be relegated to working “for the man” for the foreseeable future. Only God knows the plans He has for me.

Dad served our country in the Navy in the 1950s in the South Pacific. I thank God that He spared him duty in Korea during the same era. All the men in my family of my dad’s generation served our country. I sometimes wish I had done the same and wonder how my life would have been different. At the very least, maybe I’d have an even greater appreciation for what our men and women in uniform sacrifice every day.

Gratefully, dad sold his shop to go work for the State of California as an investigator. In reality, the change saved his life. That shop would have killed him from the stress and the neighborhood he was in. God extended his life by giving him professional work that was easier on him and has provided for my parents’ retirement for the last 10 years or so.

My father is probably busier now than when he was working. I hear that a lot from folks who retire. My dad does a lot of volunteer work for the church and various organizations. The thing about my dad is that he can’t say “no.” Some times my mom and I will get on him about it, but then I realize that no, that’s who he is.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” –Luke 6:38.

Dad will give you the shirt off his back and ask you if you need pants, too. That’s who he is.

Dad will patiently try to figure something out, whether it’s building something, fixing something, or planting something. That’s who he is.

Dad looks for the best in people, even those that may be undeserving of it. That’s who he is.

Dad will go up and talk to anyone and put them at ease and listen to them and their problems. That’s who he is.

Dad will give up, postpone or change his plans for his kids or grandkids because that’s who he is.

Dad will help you change a tire, fix a drain, install a door, paint a room, put up a ceiling fan, assemble furniture, babysit his grandson, loan you some money, listen to your heart, give you a pat on your back, hug your wife and remind her that she’s his daughter too, encourage your stepson when he’s having a tough time, offer advice on how to get through a tough situation, but most importantly, will never let you down.

Dad, a thousand-word blog post will never sufficiently explain how grateful I am that you have loved mom and remained committed to her for 40 years. It could never tell you how blessed I am to have a man in my life that I can count on no matter what. It will never allow me to express how much I love you, dad.

Happy Father’s Day 2009.

Joseph and Louie Chavez

A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness. –Proverbs 16:31.

May He Increase!