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Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I lost my father this summer. His greatest joy in life was being “dad” to me and my brother. So many things remind me of him, the start of a new school year included. As I look back on all he did to make our school days better, I have an even greater appreciation for his efforts and the love he poured into us.
My brother and I were both competitive swimmers. This involved very early morning practices before school. We would have less than half an hour turnaround at home to change and eat before heading out to the door again. On those mornings as we rushed from wet bathing suits to school clothes, my dad would always have a hot breakfast awaiting us. Imagine waffles, fresh fruit, orange juice and a real place setting. Serve a warm breakfast to someone you love.
We lived less than a mile from our high school, so we were expected to walk. I didn’t have to ask my dad for a ride. He just strolled out to the driveway in his terry cloth robe, heated up the car and waited for me. These were precious minutes in the morning we used to catch up. It’s not the ride, it’s the conversation.
Perhaps my dad was best at these two things — covering our text books in brown paper and exhibiting immense patience while helping me with last minute school projects. This man could cover a text book! Perfectly wrapped, tight corners – it would last all year and then some! On those nights when I had procrastinated and was having a meltdown, he sat beside me and showed his support, sometimes late into the night. Wrap your loved one like my dad wrapped our books and sit beside them until the job gets done.
As I reflect on these acts of love, I will make a conscious effort to incorporate more of them into my own parenting. And like my dad did for me, we here at LDT, will sit beside you until the job gets done.
Warmly, Lauren
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