Happy Birthday to my dad, my "mom", my coach, my friend.
Sheila Sims Iding
God places people in your life to play certain roles. I have been blessed with many role players. I have been blessed with the best of role players. A parent is one of the most important role players that God gifts you with. My dad was more than a “father” role player…he was my “mom” when she was sick, my coach for many years and my friend for every year. My dad was my everything. Today on his birthday I celebrate the many roles he played in my life. He’s been gone almost 33 years but I remain blessed by his “everything” role…every day.
He was my dad.
He taught me the value of hard work…without complaining. Ever.
He taught me about expectations…you EARNED your allowance.
He taught me about rotating tires and the value of the afternoon
spent with your father doing just that.
He taught me about pheasant hunting and how the silence of a day
spent in a field with your dad speaks volumes of his love for you.
He taught me how to love a pet and how you carry the 3-legged dog
home after that day of hunting.
He taught me that digging a grave for a dog in the backyard is one of
of the toughest jobs you will ever do.
He taught me that housework is important until your daughter ask
“Do you want to play catch?”
He taught me the beauty of a rock garden and how a game of catch
supercedes weeding it.
He taught me how to buy a bushel of apples and polish them all
on a Sunday afternoon while watching the Lions on a snowy TV.
He taught me the value of a family conference…EVERY week. And
that family around a table is a powerful thing.
He taught me that manners are never optional. Never.
He taught me about caring for a family member who is sick. And it
never involves questioning why. It involves caring. Caring.
He taught me about going to church every Sunday and how to say
prayers on my knees every night.
He taught me to say “Pleasant dreams, sleep tight, I’ll see you in the
morning.” to my boys every night.
He taught me how to say “God bless your little heart.” to my sons…
and to my students.
He taught me holding a grandchild…is holding the epitome of family love.
He was my “mom”.
He taught me how to curl my hair with “spoolies” and foam rollers.
He taught me how to paint my fingernails for church on Sunday.
He bought me my first bra (with a pink bow).
He gave me “the talk” on one quiet evening.
And for three years he talked with me about my crush on Bill Torbet. (maybe 4 years)
He taught me the value of Christmas cards…giving and receiving.
He made birthday treats for me to take to school.
He taught me how to wrap presents with crisp edges and how to
make a bed with crisp corners. (Or he made me redo the bed.)
He taught me pot roast, brussel sprouts, and potatoes for every
Sunday dinner isn’t a bad thing. It’s a family thing.
He taught me those family conferences every Sunday are best with
a dessert…gingerbread or Boston Cream Pie.
He taught me when neighbors and friends bring meals to help never return
their dishes empty. (A small treat in each dish/pan says "Thank you".)
He was my coach.
He taught me to “Always hustle. Play with pride.” (Even at practice.)
He taught me to never take a called third strike. (A good life lesson.)
He taught me some days the best you have to give isn’t enough.
And that’s okay because you gave your best...that day.
He taught me how to slide 4 different ways and how to bunt
3 different ways.
He taught me how to lose one way. With pride.
He taught me how to win one way. Humbly.
He taught me to respect teammates, opponents and umpires.
The umpire part took awhile for me to learn.)
He taught me to never be content sitting the bench. Always want more.
He was my friend.
He sat up with me the nights I was scared and afraid and taught me
things are always better in the morning…with the sunrise.
He tried to teach me a good beer is a good thing. (Still learning.)
He taught me the Spartan fight song and to sing it with pride.
And he taught me your eyes get misty when you sing MSU Shadows.
He taught me that time given to someone is the best gift. Ever.
My dad, my “mom”, my coach, my friend. My everything. Happy Birthday to the 4 of the most important people in my life. Happy Birthday to my everything. Happy, blessed birthday, Dad. Miss you lots. Love you…still.