Happy Belated Birthday & Happy Early Father’s Day!
a little late & a little early
BUT…better late than never & you never know how reliable the internet is going to be around here.
It was so great talking to you the other day for the second time this year…
It’s hard to believe that we went from talking almost every day to not talking at all & now that I know that you check my blog “Monday through Friday” every week at work… I decided to dedicate this blog to YOU! Thank you for your continuous support and for constantly following my journey everyday…it means the world to me! I know I have not been blogging as often as I would like, but just know that I'm learning something new everyday and God is stretching me in ways that I never thought were possible.
Thank you for keeping up with my life even though I am miles and miles away. It brightened my spirit to talk to you about my trip and the stories that I have experienced this year. Before I even told you about anything, you were asking me all about the stories from my blogs and knew every detail. It is so comforting to know that I have your love and support back home in that way…so thank you!
Here are just a few of the many memories that I have with you..I hope they can brighten your day!
I remember the days when…
-You would always tuck me into bed and read me bedtime stories in your goofy voices.
-I remember when you would read me “But No Elephants” over and over again…I don’t know how you did it.
-I remember the days when you would always pray with me before bedtime..."and a special God Bless to…”
-I remember the rainy nights when we would snuggle up on the couch and stay up counting the seconds between the thunder and lightening to see how far away the storm was.
-I remember that one time when mom was out of town and you tried to put my hair into a pony tail for school…not too shabby.
-I remember our Dairy Queen dates and the “wanilla” dipped ice cream cones we would get.
-I remember our trips to McDonalds just to get fries and drive around listening to music.
-I remember all the times we would watch Forest Gump, Grease, Field of Dreams, and the Ed Sullivan Show on repeat…and so many more
-I remember our Stone Mountain picnics and Laser show dates.
-I remember all of our 14 hour car rides to Wisconsin..little did I know how they would prepare me for the race…now those car rides seem like nothing.
-I remember all the times we would listen to Shania Twain on repeat…”That don’t impress me much”
-I remember all the times you would make us listen to the Beatles and all of your oldies tapes..and you still do…
-I remember the time when you secretly drank the rest of my milk that I refused at Aunt Sarah’s so I could go play outside…so sneaky.
-I remember all of our Christmas movie marathons by the nice cozy fire.
-I remember all of our Christmas Eve Church Services…when we would leave, you would always spot Rudolph’s red nose..and told us we needed to get home to go to sleep so Santa would come…and you still do.
-I remember all the Festival of Trees outings…our favorite was the cookie decorating station..vanilla icing and sprinkles..mmm!
-I remember how you would cut up carrots every Christmas morning and sprinkle them outside… then you would show us the trail of carrots "Rudolph dropped"…you made everything so magical.
-I remember all the times decorating sugar cookies for Santa and how you would let us pick out our favorites to leave out for him that night…and when we went to sleep you would eat them and leave the crumbs on Santa’s cookie plate so we thought Santa ate all of our cookies.
-I remember the time I almost drown you when we went snorkeling in Mexico because I was so scared of all the big fish..
-I remember you coming home from work smelling of sterile hospital smells in your light blue scrubs and you reaching into your pocket to pull out bazooka bubble gum or a small treat.
-I remember you always selling my Girl Scout cookies every year at work…
-I remember when you would ask for almond joy’s from my trick-or-treat candy bag every year because you knew I hated them…(I know where I get my sweet tooth from!)
-I remember when you would sit outside in your Hawaiian shirt (for no occasion) as the sun was setting listening to music while enjoying a Margarita every once in a while.
-I remember the family dinners when I would get in trouble for playing with my spaghetti and you would always get so mad at me.
-I remember you reading us stories up in Grandma Donna’s loft.
-I remember when you and Grandpa would take all of us girls to buy converse shoes.
-I remember all the episodes of deadliest catch you would make us watch.
-I remember the days when you would take me to the Roswell High School parking lot to practice for my drivers license test..and thanks to you I am the best parallel parker around (although I think they guy just passed me because I was wearing a UGA shirt).
-I could keep going on and on & I know these are only just a few of the many memories we have shared together…BUT most of all I remember and will never forget all the times I have seen you in church praying and talking to God. Your faith is SO inspiring and your relationship with Christ is so uplifting to see. Thank you for your faith and trust in God…it is a blessing to me.
I miss our La Parilla date nights, your delicious homemade chicken pot pie, and going to church. I miss your famous "march bars" and all your silly little traditions, I miss hearing you talk about your love for sports, I miss your sense of humor and they way you always make me laugh, I miss you asking me all your questions and your daily check up. I will miss running in the Peachtree roadrace with you this 4th of July, I will miss our hikes to the waterfall and surprise visits to Krispy Kreme, and just walking around Wills Park!
I miss you Dad & I am looking forward to seeing your handsome self in December!
(P.S.-I will be expecting a nice long hike and a La Parilla date night when I return!)
I love you beyond words and cherish our memories more than you know! I love your childlike faith and the joy you have for the simple things in life. Thanks for the love you pour out on people. As much as you say I have inspired you, you have inspired me to want to be a better person and enjoy the simple things in life! I know it was hard for you to let me leave the country this year and you were not too excited about it, but I know you trust that God will keep me safe, and he has and will continue to do so. Thanks for all your prayers and love.
“I know I may be a million miles away,
but just know your in my heart each and every day!”
Sending you all my love from Ukraine,
Love your little melon head, Emmy Lou
