Do You Remember

Dear Dad -

Do you remember when we took the trip to northern MN with absolutely no plan or reservations?  I do and it was pretty great.

Do you remember buying me the book about Crazy Horse that I wanted and surprising me with it?  I do.

Do you remember buying me the stuffed unicorn at the circus when I was a little kid?  I still have it.

Do you remember letting me show my pony and how excited I was to get the pink ribbon?  It was 5th place, but it was pink!!

Do you remember yelling at me when I was messing around on my pony and not doing what I was told and I fell off?  I do - and if you hadn't, I might have always been scared to get back on.  Luckily, I enjoyed many more years of riding with you and Mom.

Do you remember not letting me call the guy who said he would call and didn't?  I do - and I am so thankful you didn't let me embarrass myself.  At the time I thought it was old-fashioned, but you were right.  And as a bonus, I ended up meeting Tyler and getting a really amazing husband.

Do you remember you & Mom teaching us that two wrongs don't make a right and to try really hard not to hurt someone?  I remember and I work at it every day.

Do you remember telling me - when considering a job change - that my loyalty belonged to my faith and family and if I was true to those two things, I wasn't making a mistake.

Do you remember NOT buying me a car that I wanted when I was in high school and telling me that when I could afford it, then I could buy what I wanted?  Knowing what I know now - that you helped buy your family's car when you were 15 years old puts it all in perspective.  So - thanks for that - and I wish I still had that old Fairmont now because it was Grandpa Hob's and I loved him so much.  I would drive around in it proudly.

Do you remember all of our network marketing weekend trips to Texas?  I do.  They were pretty great.  And thanks for the lessons that went along with that.  It's ok to shower at a truck stop :)  It's ok to dream even if people laugh.  And I know what you really wanted was just for us to be financially free so I could stay home with my kids.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart for trying and for all of your effort towards that.  It didn't go unnoticed.

Love you lots,

Erin