Unexpected

Yesterday was something fully unexpected. I never thought it could be one of the most important days of my life. i never expected the emotion, the pride, the knowledge that something important had been accomplished, and that i had a part in it. i learned so much i never knew, and felt so much i never knew i felt. I am so proud. Yesterday my Daddy retired from the Navy. I knew it would be a big day, i knew it would mean a lot to him for me to be there, but i had no idea what it would mean to me. I had no idea that i would be so unspeakably glad to be part of that day. I guess i am two things i never really embraced for myself before. In my heart, i am a Navy brat, and more than that, i am my Daddy's Girl. He is my Hero. I knew it would be a big day for him, because since he was little more than a boy, he has been a Sailor.i knew he was passionate about his work- he has a work ethic that i have seen in nobody else ever! He personifies the idea that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well- i have never seen him do anything halfway. My Dad is so strong, so brave, so devoted, so faithful and so trustworthy- but i have never seen him honored like he was yesterday. it was amazing to see him finally being recognized like he has deserved for so long. Admittedly- i have never honored him the way he deserves. Yesterday taught me a lesson that i guess my Daddy has been teaching me for close to 20 years- Doing the best job that you can, even without glory and praise being showered on you makes a larger impact on more people than you will ever know. So many people have been touched and inspired by this great man, and most of them i had never met until yesterday. Many more than i will ever meet have been blessed by his faithfulness and his humility. As his daughter i have benefited so richly from his example, but i never realized how many countless others were also growing and being challenged by this strong, wise, yet unbelievably humble man. He does things as he does them because it is the right way to do them, and because he does everything unto the glory of God. I am so blessed to have this man for my father here on Earth, and though i have not always been appreciative, i think yesterday opened my eyes to a great many things, and God has laid it on my heart to share his greatness and his humble faithfulness with you. one of my favorite things about my Daddy is that he shares my love of singing. His voice has always been a treasure, and goosebump-raising to hear, but like everything else, he sings for God's glory- not his own. i have to be honest, if my voice was that amazing, i would probably want to show it off every chance i get- but not daddy- it is a tool for worship ,to bless those and remind them of God's majesty- not to earn himself praise. Daddy, i learned so much from you growing up, how to dress, how to bargain shop(two of my best talents!), how to ride a bike, how to be silly, how to laugh at myself, how to try uncomfortable things in new places and be brave about it, as i got older there were many more lessons, so me i refused to learn- but there were-even in my teen years that i took to heart- i looked at you and saw character traits that were required in my choice for a husband: Humility, faithfulness, honesty, striving for excellence in everything, Unwavering Faith in our Savior- these things were non-negotiable. As a young woman i continued to learn from your example how family comes second only to God and how my marriage is my most important ministry. i learned that your servant leadership freed Mom up to be a better helpmate and prayed for the same in my own marriage. Yesterday, Daddy, i learned even more from you. You HAVE stood the Watch, you have don your job and been faithful to all your commitments, and i admire you and respect you for that. You have achieved greatness and excellence in many things, yet always remained humble- that humbles me. You have so often been brave enough to admit your mistakes- i love you for that. Daddy, More and more as i get older- YOU ARE MY HERO!