Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Contests

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I honestly don't know what my grandfather would do If I won this for him. He'd probably tell me to keep it. He is an honorable and giving man.

My story of my grandpa is simple. My mother was pregnant with me at a young age in the 70's. Not married and wanting her freedom, She left me with her parents, my grandparents. they were instructed to find a suitable home as she wouldn't be able to care for me. My grandmother (my hero) thank goodness didn't abide by her wishes and kept me. She says to this day that I belonged to her from that day on. I've always been close to my grandma. She raised all of her children, grandchildren and today, her great-grandchildren. She didn't work so she was always home for us. I always thought if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I guess I never thought about the big role my grandpa played. I just remember him always being at work. We only spent a few hours a day with him.

One day a year ago, he and I had a conversation about my grandma. He said he knows the love and respect I have for her, more than any of his children. Then he told me something that left me in tears and more loved than I ever felt from him before. He said that years ago when my mother left me with them, everyone told my grandma that she was too old to raise another child. She wasn't working and had kids of her own as well as other grandchildren she cared for.and my grandpa didn't know how they could possibly raise me. She told him that she wasn't letting me go and if he could help her keep me, and that he did.

He said no one ever knew but he took on extra jobs at work, working countless overtime so that I could stay with them. He saved money where he could but never said what the reason was. Everyone just assumed they could somehow afford me but never that they gave up so much of their own lives for me. This is why that stern man from so long ago, always tired, always going to bed early and coming home late, never really got to spend much time with me at all. But it wasn't because I wasn't truely loved by him. All those hours, days and years away from his own family were for me.I know that now and will always, always love him that much more for it.

Thanks for listening to my story,
Rita

Anonymous said...

My dad grew up in East Texas without much. Sometime no food to eat. His mom died when he was 4 so his grandmother helped his dad raise him. When he was in college and 18 his dad died so he dropped out of college and went to work so he could pay off his dad's debts. He moved to Dallas to live with his aunt and uncle and went to work for Braniff Airlines where he met my mother. He then became a police officer for University Park. My sister and I were born while he was a police officer. He later became a fire fighter for the city of Richardson. Our family moved to Garland where my parents raised us. My dad always provided more than we needed financially by mowing yards, cleaning carpets and any additional work he could find part time. The most important thing my dad gave us was love, discipline and tought us to respect and give to others. My dad would make sure our family was in church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. He not only talked the talk. He walked the walk! About 30 years ago my parents decide to buy a piece of land just east of Terrell on Hwy.80. My dad planted a few peach trees. This was going to be a place our family could get away to and enjoy. We would sell the peaches in our front yard in Garland. Our few peach trees produced so much fruit one summer that we could not sell them all in our yard. I suggested to my dad that we pull our pickup on the side of the Highway at the farm and see if anyone would stop. We sold out of that pickup load in 1 hour which began a new little part time business for my family. My dad would often give peaches to people he knew could not afford them. My parents would also visit many of the people they would meet taking them food to their home and giving them money for medicine they could not afford. My dad made sure my sister and I were a part of the giving so we would learn how important it is to give to others. My dad has now grown our little peach truck business into one of the largest orchards in the state of Texas providing jobs for many people. The reason my dad deserves a night on the town is because he is always giving to others and very seldom gives back to himself. He drives his truck until it blows up on the side of the road. He doesn't care about fancy clothes and always tells us he has more than he needs at Christmas. My dad would never spend his money in a frivilous way. If you would sit down with my dad for 15 minutes you would understand why I think he is the most deserving of something so special. He is the most God fearing, honorable, loving, and generous dad in the world.

Unknown said...

My boyfriend, Loren, is amazing. I have a 10 year old daughter from a previous relationship and together, Loren and I have a 2 year old daughter. Loren and I have been together for 4 years. From the very beginning, he has genuinely opened his heart to my oldest daughter. He's taken her to her Father/Daughter dances at school and has attended every choir concert, every science fair, helps with every field trip... you name it, he's supportive and encouraging through every stage. He works 2 jobs and is a great provider. I am able to be a stay-at-home mom throughout the week. No matter how long his days are, between work and parenting, he is understanding of my "me" days and even promotes them. I'm not the only one who appreciates him... the minute he gets home and his keys unlock the front door, our 2 year old runs as fast as her little legs can take her to throw her arms around her Daddy and my 10 year old is nonstop in telling him all about her day. He always thinks of himself last and never does anything just for him. Even though the girls and I try to show our appreciation, Father's Day is a special holiday and being able to surprise him with such an outstanding token of our love and respect would mean so much to him. He deserves the world for all he's done and the difference he's made in our Family. I know there are alot of great Dads out there, and we know we have one of the best!

Anonymous said...

My husband Dan is my special man. He is the step father of my two oldest daughters and a year after our marriage we added a little sister to the mix. Dan and I are high school sweethearts, but it took us twenty years to finally realize we were destined to be together. From day one, Dan has treated my two daughters as if they were his own. He has supported them in their pursuits and been actively involved in their school endeavors. He carries them around town to their many activities and cheers them on in their successful pursuits.

Whenever the door opens in our house, the security system indicates someone is entering. As the alarm alerts us, our little one runs to the door in anticipation of Daddy. Night time is their time to play. Dan will get on the floor and play with the blocks or color with our baby. Bath time is his time to bond, followed by story time. Sometimes I am jealous because she frequently asks for Daddy and there is no question that she adores him.

We all love Dan for being our anchor. He is tall with wide shoulders to carry our burdens. Our lives have never been better and we want the opportunity to thank him for all he does. A stay at the Nylo Hotel, via Rockstar Limos is a getaway much needed for his generosity. We don’t get a lot of chances to pamper him and a steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris is just the added ticket. We ate there once and it was the best steak we have ever had.

Being able to surprise Dan with a night of pampering would be a great thrill. Just seeing the appreciation in his eyes after the initial surprise is reward enough for all his girls.