The Measure of a Man
Like Dan, I've been thinking about the passage of time and how quickly it all seems to go. Now, with the "blessed event" just around the corner, I been doing a lot of reflecting on this little life that's begun, and how much it matters to be born into a family who loves you almost from the moment you are conceived. To be surrounded from the very beginning with unconditional love is such a blessing in this confusing, complicated world. How wonderful it is to have a whole gaggle of people clammering just to love you!
In my world, I've always been blessed that very same way. My parents, to this day, love me no matter what, and I have known my whole life that they are standing right behind me. I've never known a day where I haven't felt loved.
I've gone through all these thoughts to get to one place. My greatest blessing in life (and my cup has always been overflowing with blesings) is my precious husband Dan. He is the solid rock I have loved and counted on since I was just a girl of 16. He always seemed so much more mature than I was, and I now know that he was just wise beyond his years. He knew that if he could just hold on until I grew up a little, together we would be a force to be reckoned with!
From the very beginning, he always had my best interests at heart. Once the children came, he was the image of what a Father should be. I know that sometimes he wishes he could go back and do some things differently, but all you have to do is watch and listen to the way Patrick and Rachel talk about him to see how much they respect and adore him. He is, simply, a wonderful man.
When we speak about success, we often talk about how much money someone has, or how much fear his name can evoke. I don't think about it in those terms. I consider the lives he has touched and the people he has loved. Was he trustworthy? Was he loyal? Did he always put his family ahead of his desires or needs? Will he love you no matter what? These things are the true measure of a man. Placed on the true scale of life, my Dan is the very essence of success! I have loved him since I was a little girl, and I pray that I get to love and appreciate him until I'm a very old, old woman!!! He is my boy!!!
posted by MiMi & Papa | 8:07 PM
9 Comments:
I didn't want to cry...but I couldn't stop! I want that too!!
OK, who's going to die? I want to know right NOW!! You can't keep SECRETS like that! STOP this now, MY HEART can't take ANY MORE!
Nobody's dying! These things just needed to be said. Don't worry!!!
I don't want to sound corny, but I thought it was lovely tribute to a wonderful man.
I'm thankful that Patrick had such great role models; for you & Dan have helped to make Patrick into MY rock, and into the wonderful father that I know he's going to be.
Man, you think you guys were crying???? I am blessed to not only have this wonderful man as a father, but to also have this fantastic woman as a mother. Now if only Kala and I can find our "Danny" all will be well.
You & Kala will find your special someone--it'll be someone that you don't expect, in a time and place when you're not looking for it (or, like me, at a time and place when I was so convinced that I DIDN'T want it...boy, was I wrong!), when you least expect it. Just keep your minds and hearts open and happy.
Like butterflies.
Okay, I was kidding about the butterflies. But serious about all that other stuff.
And food for thought: I can't imagine my life without Patrick. If I think about what my world would be like without him, I just sorta panic & cry a little. (Some of that may be the Bean.) But when we first met, it was not the right time for me, and he really wasn't someone that I would have considered "my type." (Luckily, I got real smart soon thereafter, and the rest is history. Eleven wonderful years of history!)
"Types" are crap. If I'd stuck with what I thought my "type" was, I would have lost out on the most wonderful man (or one of them).
Find someone that makes you laugh (on purpose, even). Find someone that makes you think, and knows that you're smart, and funny and clever. Find someone who's kind and caring. Look at how they treat waitstaff.
Look beyond the window dressing, because let me tell you--beauty fades, stupid & mean don't.
Chauntelle is such a bright young woman, almost motherly; could be the bean. Hormones and having babies have a way of doing that to you...don't you think?
But I degress, I agree Dan Hardin is one of the truly good men and so is Patrick. Nuff said! Oh and you got a really good Ma too!
I'm just relieved to learn that the entry about "The Measure of a Man" is not about what I thought it might be about...seriously, though, the man does rock most righteously. Excellent! (Making guitar noises in the fashion of Ted Theodore Logan and Bill S. Preston, Esquire).
UPDATE BUG!! YOU TOO DAN!!
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