Father’s Role in a Family  “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” (Family Proclamation, paragraph 7)

What role did your father play in your life? What about your husband with your children? Were there other men who helped to fill a father’s role for you as you were growing up?

My kids love to hear me tell stories about my dad. And, boy are there stories to tell!

One of my earliest memories involves the book Little Bear. I sat on his lap as he taught me to read at the age of three.

He laughed when he found me crying at the bottom of the stairs on my fifth birthday because I didn’t know how to look up words in the dictionary I’d asked for as a present. Elephant was the first word he showed me how to find.

He taught me how to ride a bike, rather sneakily I might add, and let me tag along occasionally on his early morning jogs around Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. You can hear an audio documentary produced by my brother about my dad’s bicycle riding teaching techniques.

I fell asleep at night listening to him play his guitar. He taught my siblings and I to sing songs from The Beatles, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and others. I even won $30 from him on a bet about a phrase in the song “More Than Words” by Extreme.

He wrote letters of encouragement and counsel to all his children off and on throughout our growing up years. He was there to play soccer or volleyball with us. We’d go on long bike rides, have deep philosophical discussions, and make homemade ravioli together.

My dad is also a hard worker. I remember my mom pointing out the tiny speck that was my dad when he walked across the stage to accept his diploma when he graduated from medical school. And how tired he was when he came home from working crazy hours at Jackson Memorial Hospital during his residency. My dad also spent countless hours serving in church callings going beyond the normal call of duty. He filled the father role for many young men growing up in “the projects” of Georgia.

Even though I am gone from “home” building my own home my dad is still there for me, encouraging me. He taught me that I can do hard things. Through example, my dad has shown me that to enjoy life you must work hard and serve others. Growing up he was my provider, my protector and fulfilled his role well. Now that I am married, Mr. Ferrero Rocher has stepped in to take over that role of providing and protecting. But it was because of my dad that I knew what type of man I wanted to marry who could provide that same caring role for my children.

Thank you, Papito!

© 2007-2009 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

Join us for Wordfull Wednesday! Write a post about today’s topic of a Father’s Role, come back and sign the Mr. Linky.