I get asked A LOT about the name of this blog. I can explain. It is a phrase my Father used. In context -he used it mainly to end a conversation. He didn't like good-bye's- so instead of saying that he would always turn and wave and yell "Don't Drink Your Bathwater!" I cannot tell you how many times I heard this, and expected it was. It was a part of him. I can still hear his voice saying it, see his smile, and it makes me feel close to him.
My Father is an extraordinary man. Everyone says that about someone who has died. We put them on this pedestal and they gradually become this infallible memory. I think that is true, and likely, I have done that with my Dad. But there are truths about his goodness and character that cannot be ignored and I focus on those things. He passed away in Sept of 1993 -technically an hour after I turned 18.
I inherited my Fathers height, his sense of humor, and his genuine ability to root for the underdog- and non-judgmental nature. I am not as social as he is -he thrives on conversations and connection with people- anyone. He was known for being the first to befriend a stranger who had come into town. He could talk for hours with someone he barely knew.
I grew up in the very small town of Duchesne Utah. Everyone, and I mean everyone knew my Father and he knew them. I don't know of anyone in town that did not like my Father. I never heard a bad word about anyone from my Fathers lips. Sounds unbelievable but it is 100 percent true. He taught me how to love people.
He also taught me about the value of family, and it was his number one priority. I spent my weekends at one of my Grandparents houses- just visiting. I knew my cousins, and all my Aunts and Uncles. It was so important to him to keep family together no matter what -and he fought for that throughout his life.
Most importantly -his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- which he purposefully shared with me and made sure I knew- is a glaring example of his heart. His testimony was simple, and short, but I will never forget how I felt the day he pulled me aside and shared it with me. He grabbed my hand and looked me square in the eye: "I want you to know that I know that the Gospel is true. All of it. I know it, and I want you to know it." That simple testimony has helped to sustain me through my ups and my downs with more power than any testimony I have heard.
This blog, and much of my life work is an homage to him. He is my hero - and the person I want to be like when I grow up. So when I pull up my blog- I see the title, it makes me smile, and I know it means I love you- I want everything good for you - and I will see you again very soon.
My Father is an extraordinary man. Everyone says that about someone who has died. We put them on this pedestal and they gradually become this infallible memory. I think that is true, and likely, I have done that with my Dad. But there are truths about his goodness and character that cannot be ignored and I focus on those things. He passed away in Sept of 1993 -technically an hour after I turned 18.
I inherited my Fathers height, his sense of humor, and his genuine ability to root for the underdog- and non-judgmental nature. I am not as social as he is -he thrives on conversations and connection with people- anyone. He was known for being the first to befriend a stranger who had come into town. He could talk for hours with someone he barely knew.
I grew up in the very small town of Duchesne Utah. Everyone, and I mean everyone knew my Father and he knew them. I don't know of anyone in town that did not like my Father. I never heard a bad word about anyone from my Fathers lips. Sounds unbelievable but it is 100 percent true. He taught me how to love people.
He also taught me about the value of family, and it was his number one priority. I spent my weekends at one of my Grandparents houses- just visiting. I knew my cousins, and all my Aunts and Uncles. It was so important to him to keep family together no matter what -and he fought for that throughout his life.
Most importantly -his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- which he purposefully shared with me and made sure I knew- is a glaring example of his heart. His testimony was simple, and short, but I will never forget how I felt the day he pulled me aside and shared it with me. He grabbed my hand and looked me square in the eye: "I want you to know that I know that the Gospel is true. All of it. I know it, and I want you to know it." That simple testimony has helped to sustain me through my ups and my downs with more power than any testimony I have heard.
This blog, and much of my life work is an homage to him. He is my hero - and the person I want to be like when I grow up. So when I pull up my blog- I see the title, it makes me smile, and I know it means I love you- I want everything good for you - and I will see you again very soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment