Girl Dads

I love the phrase "A Girl Dad". It was popularized after the tragic death of NBA, Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash. He was the dad of only daughters, one of which died with him in the accident. A Girl Dad is used to refer to dads who only have daughters and is often used to capture the love between fathers and their daughters. Of course, this doesn't mean a Dad of both genders isn't a Girl Dad, it means they get a glimpse at being a dad for both sexes. A Girl Dad is exclusive to a family of just girls. 

I was raised by a Girl Dad. I think my Dad would have loved to be known as a "Girl Dad". I have always said, "I didn't have a brother, so my Dad taught us so many things that would have been done by a boy". I never ever heard my Dad say he wished he had a son. There is no doubt he thought it many times, but it never crossed his lips. In our world, he seemed pretty content just having daughters.

At a young age, Kay and I learned how to "check cows". That is the word used to see if a cow was getting ready to calve. He taught us to shoot a gun and gophers were never safe around us. Dad was a big horse person and we always had one to ride. From the moment we were responsible for a horse, we knew how to put the saddle and bridle on properly. The cattle drive was always planned for Mother's Day in all weather, and we were ready to make the many miles of getting the cattle to pasture. Getting them back home occurred in the fall. There are so many things that my Dad taught me. Thanks to him I know how to play poker, drive a tractor, and at about 10, he gave me driving lessons in the ton truck. 

One of my favorite pictures

Kay and I found an old, dismantled buggy in the rafters of what we called the south barn. We pulled it down and of course Dad put it together. We just happened to have a horse that we could drive. Somehow, not sure how, Dad managed to find a harness that would fit her. We spent hours on end driving the horse with the buggy. Oh, that poor horse, she must have hated to see us coming. 

I agree that Dads have a natural desire to protect their daughters, but daughters protect their girl dads. At times, they are like a woman warrior when it comes to their dads. The dad is pretty happy when that happens because he is now on the side with numbers. When this occurs there is one person that is not on the side with numbers and that person is married to the dad. At times there is a look on the face of a girl dad that is hard to describe. How does one manage being perplexed, confused and almost fearful, all in one look. 

Today, we celebrate Dads of any combination of gender kids. On these special days memories flood back about being raised and the wisdom that dads give to their children. If your dad is in heaven, he will already know how much he means to you. Today, is a day worth celebrating, so make sure it is a special day for all the dads in your life.