This one's for you, Dad!

No matter how long it's been since we've lived in our parent's home, on Father's Day, our minds turn to home and to those that made us the people we are today.

Not everyone has a dad, this I know. There are father figures, friends, Big Brothers and all types of stand ins- but I am one of the lucky ones. I had and have to this day a Dad. And as the only daughter, I am sure I came with my own set of quirks and issues, unlike my brothers. But while I doubt my dad knew exactly what to do with this pink bundle that was put into his arms, oh so many years ago, he instinctively knew that merely loving me and pushing me forward into life- would give him the kind of daughter he would be proud of.

My dad taught me to ride a bike- running up and down the street with me until I got the hang of it and being there to pick me up when I fell off.

He was always in the audience at all of my recitals, whether it was that horrible flute solo where I totally forgot the notes, or the solo in choir where I belted out some show tune, or when I played in piano competitions. The first face I always saw was my dad nodding his approval and clapping no matter how bad it was.

He had patience in teaching me multiplication tables (somehow I couldn't get that 7 times 3 was the same as 3 times 7) and just shook his head in frustration when Algebra rolled around and we had to solve those old Train A and Train B leaving the station problems.

And then when I thought I was all grown up- his sage career advice of "find something you love and then figure out how to make money at it" has paid off time and time again.

Today I look back and am thankful for the time I have had with my dad. We don't live in the same city any more and don't see each other as often as we would like. But I always know he's there in the background of my days, pushing me forward into life. Just like he always has.