Skip to main content

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.    














Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Baking

Easter is a holiday that is steeped with tradition and reflection. It holds a different meaning for each of us. Every Easter I reflect on how it was when I was a kid, way back in the dark ages, and how everything has changed so much. For many families it is a time to come together to celebrate the traditions that are meaningful to them.  Easter is a sacred time for Christians as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ . Easter is known as a  time for rebirth, hope and new beginnings.                                      I doubt anyone has a family memory that can trump the "Dixon Family Egg Hunt". My Dad was one of 10 children in his family. They were never all at home at the same time, but there were probably at least 6 or 7 kids on the egg hunt each year. Their dear mother would dye 14 dozen eggs with no food coloring. All I know is beets make red eggs. Dad would speak of h...
3 comments
Read more

Just put your head down and do it!

I recently attended a competition at my gym. By attending I mean I simply watched and volunteered. The CrossFit competition was called the "Grit Games" which explains how grueling it was. The competitors were in a zone and did their absolute best to finish what they had started. The competition was a timed event and as they neared the end of their time and the tank appeared to be empty, they just put their head down and did it. Not one single person quit, that was not an option.   Waves of Hope recently had a practice day which started in the morning. We got in the boat, and there were a few more waves than usual, so the decision was made to paddle to the other side of the lake, where it was calmer. It is moments like that where I am in absolute awe. The steersperson is in position at the back of the boat calling the shots. The coach has her voice turned up. The long-time paddlers are set and ready to go. I have to say one more time, I have the utmost respect for the long-tim...
2 comments
Read more

Final Requests

I was just rolling through Facebook as I often do, when this touching post caught my eye. A final request was made by an elementary schoolteacher in Georgia. Before she passed, she asked that instead of flowers that people bring backpacks filled with school supplies to her funeral. Her final request resulted in hundreds of backpacks from friends, family and strangers. Children she had never met will have what they need to shape their future.  At the time of death, people want to do something. Often it is a donation to a charity either identified by the family or of the donor's choice. I have to admit, I am poor at giving to a memoriam, I'm not sure why. But I would certainly buy and fill a backpack. I don't think I am alone when I say, I love creativity. I am also all in when it is for a cause and especially if children are involved.  This woman is leaving a legacy behind. She just wanted to help children as the last thing she did. She had no idea the magnitude of her reque...
4 comments
Read more