Men of Honor, Faith and Family
I have been so gifted with the presence of men of honor, faith and family in my life.
Recently, as I was working on our family tree, I realized how the men on my family were so extraordinary, each in their own way.
My grandfather, leaving his country of birth as just a child, to embark on the biggest journey of his life since then.
Could he imagine how his life would be when all he could see was vast ocean? How he embraced his new country and became naturalized.
Worked hard at an honest job and met a good girl and got married.
How they had a strong family, of both women and men who all went on to serve his adopted country against foreign enemies.
How proud he must have been, and yet, a humble man, who quietly loved his family by his little touches.
How when times were poor, he would walk home from work, and on Friday take a different route so he could pick wild rhubarb as a treat for everyone's dessert.
How he loved us, the grandchildren, as we played near his chair, as he sat in the sun.
A gentle man with a quiet sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye.
I think I love his gift of my father to me.
As a proud son, he excelled in sports in high school, earning a state championship in fencing.
He would go on to use those fighting skills, as he made the U.
S.
Army his career.
Dedicated, loyal, extremely smart and committed he rose through the ranks serving his country.
He met the girl of his dreams in a far off place, and stole her away to live in the land of his father.
Together they had 9 babies, and weathered the strains of a military life, including criss-crossing the country several times with four infant children in tow, living on faith and their ever-present love.
They raised their children to be honorable, God-loving, productive members of society, with a strong love of country and family.
When an unexpected tragedy struck the family, my father never wavered but took charge, using those military skills he knew so well.
Such a hard time it must have been for him, raising 6 kids and working three jobs while my mother was in the hospital.
Never a word of complaint did we hear and always time for each of us, even when he had none for himself.
Gentle sage advice when needed, loving correction when warranted and a hug to stop the tears.
He gave me an inquisitive mind, a love of learning and books, an appreciation for art (being an artist himself) and a respect for authority.
He taught me that life isn't fair, but family is there for you.
That God loved me forever.
That I was worth something.
That I would do amazing things with the life he had given me.
How I was conceived in love, and that made me special.
I always had the privilege of feeling loved, wanted and safe.
I knew my parents adored their children, would die for their children, give their world for their children, just like his father would have done for him.
And now, I am married to a man who has all those qualities- honor, faith, family.
He would die for me and our son.
He served his country as a career with honor, and suffered the emotional scars of a forgotten war in silence, choosing to focus on his new life, with his family and his four-legged children.
A man who, although tall in height, is also tall in integrity, loyalty and fierce love of family.
How this battle-scarred soldier, who could snap a man's neck in seconds, could hold my own so tenderly.
How he honors me as a woman and an equal.
How very special he makes me feel.
How very lucky I am to have him as mine.
How our love has been an inspiration to many.
So, yes, I am blessed to have such amazing men in my life.
How many families could be saved if they, too had men of character such as these, to see them through life's twists and turns, with honor, faith and family.
Recently, as I was working on our family tree, I realized how the men on my family were so extraordinary, each in their own way.
My grandfather, leaving his country of birth as just a child, to embark on the biggest journey of his life since then.
Could he imagine how his life would be when all he could see was vast ocean? How he embraced his new country and became naturalized.
Worked hard at an honest job and met a good girl and got married.
How they had a strong family, of both women and men who all went on to serve his adopted country against foreign enemies.
How proud he must have been, and yet, a humble man, who quietly loved his family by his little touches.
How when times were poor, he would walk home from work, and on Friday take a different route so he could pick wild rhubarb as a treat for everyone's dessert.
How he loved us, the grandchildren, as we played near his chair, as he sat in the sun.
A gentle man with a quiet sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye.
I think I love his gift of my father to me.
As a proud son, he excelled in sports in high school, earning a state championship in fencing.
He would go on to use those fighting skills, as he made the U.
S.
Army his career.
Dedicated, loyal, extremely smart and committed he rose through the ranks serving his country.
He met the girl of his dreams in a far off place, and stole her away to live in the land of his father.
Together they had 9 babies, and weathered the strains of a military life, including criss-crossing the country several times with four infant children in tow, living on faith and their ever-present love.
They raised their children to be honorable, God-loving, productive members of society, with a strong love of country and family.
When an unexpected tragedy struck the family, my father never wavered but took charge, using those military skills he knew so well.
Such a hard time it must have been for him, raising 6 kids and working three jobs while my mother was in the hospital.
Never a word of complaint did we hear and always time for each of us, even when he had none for himself.
Gentle sage advice when needed, loving correction when warranted and a hug to stop the tears.
He gave me an inquisitive mind, a love of learning and books, an appreciation for art (being an artist himself) and a respect for authority.
He taught me that life isn't fair, but family is there for you.
That God loved me forever.
That I was worth something.
That I would do amazing things with the life he had given me.
How I was conceived in love, and that made me special.
I always had the privilege of feeling loved, wanted and safe.
I knew my parents adored their children, would die for their children, give their world for their children, just like his father would have done for him.
And now, I am married to a man who has all those qualities- honor, faith, family.
He would die for me and our son.
He served his country as a career with honor, and suffered the emotional scars of a forgotten war in silence, choosing to focus on his new life, with his family and his four-legged children.
A man who, although tall in height, is also tall in integrity, loyalty and fierce love of family.
How this battle-scarred soldier, who could snap a man's neck in seconds, could hold my own so tenderly.
How he honors me as a woman and an equal.
How very special he makes me feel.
How very lucky I am to have him as mine.
How our love has been an inspiration to many.
So, yes, I am blessed to have such amazing men in my life.
How many families could be saved if they, too had men of character such as these, to see them through life's twists and turns, with honor, faith and family.
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