We were talking about all of the hilarious things that Dad would do to make things easier for Mom, or think he was helping her out but really just making life harder for her! Like the time we went fishing at Paiute Reservior on Father's Day with Uncle Martin and dad lost his pole to a huge trout while he was baiting a pole for someone else and then in the middle of a thunder storm, the boat ran out of gas. Unfortunately, we only had one oar. That was THE absolute longest fishing day EVER!! (Especially since that was also the trip that dad had a stomach bug...yikes!!!!!)
The good news was that the next day he ended up finding his pole floating in the water with the fish still hooked!
Or the time he was supposed to take mom out on her birthday to keep her out of the house so her sisters could prepare a surprise party for her, so he took us all sledding and forgot about the party. Then mom broke her tailbone. She was so late getting home that the party was over and her bum hurt! He meant well!!!
My Dad lives to make my mom happy! He adores her and would do anything in the world to serve her or make her life easier! She loves him right back!
There are so many wonderful qualities about my dad, but my favorite is his selfless generosity.This picture is of my dad and my mom's little brother, Uncle Martin. He's 58 and has down syndrome and Alzheimer's. He wasn't always so frail. Aside from age, he's always been strong and healthy. We spent our childhood learning how to treat people with disabilities because my parents were always such incredible examples of acceptance and love because of Martin. My dad is retired and until recently had taken care of Martin for 4 years. He would do everything for this man. Shower, feed, toilet, dress, communicate, etc. You name it, if Martin needed it, Craig did it. He sacrificed so much of himself for the love of this helpless, sweet little man and did it all so willingly.
That is the guy my dad is! Martin is not his biological brother, but he loves him as if he was more than one of them! When Martin's care became too much for one person to physically handle, the decision was made to put him in a facility where he could have 24 hr constant care. Dad felt guilty for weeks. I am so grateful that my children have the same opportunity that I had. To see how much my parents care for Martin and how much compassion they feel for people with disabilities like his!
My dad has had so many interesting chapters in his life. It is neat to reminisce with him! There are so many fun things about him personally that I hope my kids will have the time to get to know him like we know him!
My dad has had so many interesting chapters in his life. It is neat to reminisce with him! There are so many fun things about him personally that I hope my kids will have the time to get to know him like we know him!Some awesome things about Craig:
He has one brown eye and one green eye (completely noticeable!)
He is a welder by trade but can do just about anything you ask him to do!
He is HILARIOUS!!!
He has road rage?
He is a collector of MANY things!
He genuinely LOVES to help people!
He has a crazy brain injury scar on the left side of his head that he got when our family was attacked by a gang several years ago and he loves it when you scratch it!
He would LITERALLY give you the shirt off his back.
He has a sincere, quiet testimony of The Savior that he keeps very private.
I love you Pop! I hope you start feeling better soon! I hope your birthday was a good one!
64 years and still feeling with your fingers!!! Thanks for everything you are!!!
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