I have written about my father before, and how he instilled in me a love for animals and life. I'm definitely thinking about him today. But this page is dedicated to my husband, Andy. He is, in my eyes and in the hearts of his own kids, the Greatest Dad Ever.
I met Andy in college. I was a Freshman living in a dorm room with three other girls. I had only been there a few days when I became crazy homesick for a dog, so I found my way to a local farm where they were giving away Border Collie puppies. I took one back to school with me and smuggled him into the dorm. One day, the puppy wasn't feeling well, and I had no way to get him to a vet. I was sitting on the lawn in front of my dorm with my sick puppy, when along came my hero. I had seen the guy before in a Biology class, so he wasn't technically a stranger. Maybe it was my tears, or maybe the cute puppy, who knows. He stopped and asked what was wrong. I told him and he said he had a car and would be happy to take me to find a vet. (Now, if my daughter had so easily gone into a stranger's car I would have yanked her out of college. Times have changed.) Long story short, we found a vet. And I found the love of my life.
We were married a year later. Two weeks after we got married, Andy's father died. At the young age of twenty two, he had a wife and mother to support. Plus, he had received his draft notice. Being the sole support of his mother granted him a deferment. But, the young man grew up very quickly. Some guys might have caved under the pressure, but not Andy. He has been working tirelessly for over forty years to take care of - well - everybody. In all that time, he has never put himself first. Ever.
I joke about the war we have over animals. It's more like a test of wills. I bring another animal home, Andy has a fit, then he becomes the favorite of whatever it is. The Frenchies adored him. Rooney is so in love with him she pines away when he's gone - sometimes for just five minutes! Dash is now starting to follow him around and hang out near him. I stopped asking if I could get a (fill in the blank.) Now, I just get it and surprise him.
When Poco, the rescued mare, came into our lives, I had just lost the job I had for almost twenty years. It was clear she and I were meant to be together - I needed her as much as she needed me. The last thing Andy needed was the expense of a horse, let alone a sick one. Over the years, her vet bills totaled in the thousands of dollars. Andy never complained or flinched over her care. Andy loved me, I loved the horse, and there you have it.
As for the kind of father he has been to our human kids. Well, The Giving Tree comes to mind. You remember the Roald Dahl book about the tree who keeps giving to the kid it loves until there's nothing left. Only in this version, the tree remains intact, steadfast and strong. More like a shelter under which everybody feels secure and safe. Our kids know and love this about him. They are deeply appreciative for helping them to be the people they want to be. And now he has grandchildren who know the kind of generous spirit Pap has.
I can't forget to mention the most important thing about being a good father - they raise good fathers. Our son is an amazing father himself. He's loving and funny and patient and his kids love him. He learned from the best.
In honor of my husband this Father's Day, I promise to limit our household to the number in it right now - no more. Well, at least until somebody else needs to be rescued.
No comments:
Post a Comment