A Fabulous Father by Judith Barber

Our father is an admirable man-- highly educated and accomplished. He pastored a church for twenty-nine years and now travels the world with our Mom teaching and counseling. All four sisters have had to come to terms with the high standard he set for us as a father and as husband to our Mom. Every birthday, our favorite gift was the "Date Dollar" he gave us, redeemable for a dinner out with him... a rare treat to have "Mr. In-demand" all to ourselves. That dollar was priceless. But for all his wonderful qualities, the one that rises to the top is his kindness.

When our parents are home, their house immediately transforms into a {free} bed and breakfast for people from every corner of the globe who just want to "breathe their air." This past weekend, seven bridesmaids were in town for a wedding of close friends of mine, and "the hotel" was offered as shelter. It was nothing out of the ordinary to have multiple strangers in the house. But this time, Mom had to be out of town, and Dad was left as solo host. He was assured that the girls would be very busy with parties and events surrounding the wedding and to just leave a key.

Sunday, after everyone cleared out, I went to survey the damage and strip beds. In each bedroom I found a basket, lined with a cloth napkin and containing the remains of candy, nuts and fruit. Assuming Mom had prepared this for the girls before she left town (after ironing the sheets), I told her on the phone I found that beautiful evidence of hospitality... along with a note by each basket that read, "Welcome to our home, ladies!" She laughed and simply responded, "Oh really? Dad must have done all of that!"

So this Father's Day, I am publicly announcing that the E-Mealz sisters are so blessed to have the man known to all as "Mickey Daddy" as our Dad. Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you!

Your girls