Happy Father's Day Dad!

I think you are one of the bravest men in the world...I thought that the other day while I was out at the grocery store with all the kids. You never worried about the burden of providing for and being responsible for so many children. You never even worried about taking us all out in public with fear of what could happen or what people might say. Infact, you not only took us to the grocery store (Meijer's) but all sorts of cool places like museums, the opera, train trips to Toronto, road trips to Florida and northern Michigan, camera stores, gun stores, sushi resturants, car dealerships, pet stores, and hospital rounds to visit all your patients. These were all good times and memories that could fill several posts on their own.

Most of the time I shared your company and attention with all the other little girls but sometimes I got you all to myself. That was typically down in your bullet making room where I would watch you carefully measure and pour. I took part in the task by lining up the shells and handing you the primers, sometimes I even got to pull down the press. I guess I never took to bullet making like I did sewing but I sure enjoyed hanging out with you. It was a time I could freely talk without shouting over other voices, a time I was sure my little voice was heard. I knew you were listening because you would knod your head as you worked, periodically respond with a "yeah", and sometimes even chuckle as I unloaded all my silly little girl thoughts.

I got older and there was less time to spend helping you make bullets as I was busy with homework, sports, and talking on the phone with boys. We still had our Saturdays though and I enjoyed riding the horses with you, it was an escape not only from farm chores but also all the activities that kept me too busy for bullet making.

Besides bullet making and riding horses you had several other hobbies like bee keeping, gardening, motorcycles, hunting, photography, leather working, cooking, computers, birds, and fish aquariums. Not only did you have every gadget, tool and outfit to go along with your hobbies you also had one or two "pals" to enjoy them with. I'm not sure what you enjoyed more the actual hobby or the time you spent hanging out with your "pals". Either way I think your favorite actitivity was that of being a Dad.

Thank you not only for sharing your many interests and hobbies but also for teaching us how to work, how to get along, and how to have fun. Thank you also for showing the same care and love to our own children as they are now the ones who sometimes watch you make bullets and get to go on outings like Bear Lake and Cabellas. Thank you for everything! Your family of 100+ individuals is truly blessed by your example, presence, and love.

We love you Dad!