They say that father-daughter relationships are the hardest, and my dad and I are no exception. I once heard him tell my mom that he felt like he could not talk to me without me crying (and at the time, this was true). But in the end you get past all the hurt and the awkwardness, and underneath, the foundation of it all, is love.
My dad always tried to be there to support us in any way he could. If there was a way to be involved in what we were doing, my dad found it. My mom wanted to go to college: dad dropped out and worked several jobs to put her through. My brothers wanted to play soccer: dad became the coach. They wanted to play football: dad became the president of the league. We all played baseball: dad became the president, and when we moved, became the head umpire for Morgan Hill Pony Baseball. We joined marching band: he joined the boosters. The best part about all of this was that he was close by, but without us ever feeling like he was invading in on our lives.
On this Father’s Day, I want to thank him. He has given so much of himself to every member of my family, and I know that I will never be able to repay him for everything he has given me. I love you Papa Bear! See, even now, I am crying.
Kelly Baeta, legal publications
