Today I woke up with a full heart. I am brimming gratitude for the amazing family I have. I find the best way to express my emotions is to write them down, and what better way to do it than to put them out for the whole world to see! I want everyone to know what an incredible family I have. I wish you could all see how generous, loving, accepting, understanding, and just dang amazing they are.
^My dad meeting his first grandbaby for the first time. Look at the twinkle in his eye! He's so cute.
However, since it's Monday, I decided to turn my thoughts to my father. I sometimes feel he is under-appreciated because he is gone so much. For those of you who don't know my family personally, my dad is a pilot and spends time abroad. Reading a recent email he sent me from China, I had a heart warming moment where I again realized how incredible of a man he is. The email he sent me enclosed two pictures. The first showed him standing next to a smaller Indian man. My father had told me that he went to eat at this mans restaurant in China. He said there was a section of the restaurant where the man sold Indian jewelry and goods. My father took a look at them to find something to bring to me. (He claims that I pester him to bring me home jewelry and goodies... But that doesn't sound like me.. Does it? Haha.) My dad picked out three bracelets he thought I would like, which ended up being the other picture. My dad went to pay for them, but the man gave them to him as a special gift. My dad had been to his restaurant a few times before, so he considered my dad a friend. I can't help but get teary eyed as I ponder back on this story. It would be one thing if this was a unique or surprising tale.. But it isn't! My dad makes friends everywhere he goes! He has the biggest heart. I have never met a friendlier person. I have never really appreciated that quality of his. In all honesty, it sometimes embarrassed or annoyed me. Anytime we are in public, he talks to the people around us. I try to tell him they don't want to talk to him, but he never needs my advice. I am almost always proven wrong when he makes another friend from a stranger. But boy is he talkative. I have to take a separate car to church because he stays so long afterwards to talk to people. That's when my annoyance comes in. But I've come to realize what an admirable quality that is. He is never biased or judgmental. He has become friends with people of all different ages, size, gender, race, etc. He is so kind and generous.
I recall a story he once told me about having lunch with a homeless man. The story was very interesting to me for a few reasons. Instead of simply offering the man money, my dad offered to buy him lunch. He then sat across from the man and talked to him while they ate lunch together. My dad said the man had tears in his eyes when he thanked my dad for the lunch. Can you imagine how meaningful it must've been to the man, to sit across from someone and have a normal lunch? I don't know about you, but I personally do not go out of my way to talk to homeless people. I usually just hand them some coins and hurry on my way. But my dad didn't do that. He treats all human beings with equal respect and love. I can't think of what I have done to deserve such an amazing example. I must've done something incredible before I came to this life to deserve this man as my father.
That is all. Happy Monday.
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