I love my Dad. I always have. Although he has never once said he loved me I understand that it is a hard thing for him to express in words.

He has not said he loved me but he provided a good home for me as a child. I used to love to play with him before I went to bed as young girl.

As I grew up some distance came between us. I didn’t know how to relate to him. He was always working and I had so little time to spend with him.

He was a farmer and a hard worker. I remember one time when I came home from running I saw him limping across our yard. I knew that his arthritis was acting up and I realized that my legs were hurting too from my run but I had chosen to run for track. He had chosen to work so hard in the midst of pain because he loved his family. That broke my heart but I knew he did it because of love.

He always has a silly joke to lighten things up. Even though he can’t hear much anymore he loves to see his kids get together at family reunions because we are always laughing at something. Many times it is his silliness which causes the giggles.

When my children were little they simply adored him. Climbing all over him they would literally cling to him like leeches. They still adore him. He has given them no reason not to.

He has always been an even tempered soul. The only time I have ever heard him cussing was when he was out in the shed and something would not go right and then he would cuss very loud but he never ever did that while in the house.

He was the one in charge of discipline in our home. He had a yardstick that he used to spank us and mother would tell him when to use it. I respected that yardstick and his spankings and didn’t get them very often. He never abused his authority in that arena. I never once felt it was abuse. There is a difference between abuse and discipline.

He isn’t a talker like my mother is but when he does says something it is always worth listening to. He usually says something to encourage, not discourage.

I used to think it was a big thing that he never said he loved me but as I got older I realized that there are some people who say that they love you and there are others who just show it. My Dad shows his love and I have no doubt that he loves me.