Today is bittersweet as I celebrate my Dad who I miss more and more as time goes by and I also celebrate all the amazing Dads that I know and love!  It is heart-warming to read all of the Facebook posts and I love hearing stories of all the wonderful Dads. We are all blessed beyond words for these loving, kind men that we call our Dads. I gave the eulogy at my Dad’s funeral and I put together a speech called “Nobody Better …”

When John was young, he played baseball for the Diablo’s travel team.  He had this amazing coach, Kyle Gross and I always remembered him on the third base line, chanting, “Nobody better.  Nobody better than you” to his player at bat.  No matter what the count, Kyle would say “Nobody better.  Nobody better than you right now.”

I loved that phrase and when I thought of my Dad – that is exactly what I thought … Nobody better, nobody better than him ~ as a Dad, as a Husband, as a Friend, as a hard worker.  My Dad was salt-of-the-earth and raised me with such values and respect and I am forever grateful to him.  And along my childhood journey and beyond, I have met and been blessed to know SO many wonderful Dads and I pay tribute to all of them today as well ~ My Papaw, Ray Brewer – just the best of the best.  My surrogate grandpa, Emery Pebble – amazing, loving dad.  He worshiped his girls.  Ernie Drake – always good for a laugh and a joke but so loving and kind to his girls.  Bud Wirrig – my dad’s best friend and ruler of the camping group keeping the kids in line and making us eat our vegetable soup – we were so afraid of him but as an adult, I learned quickly the his bark was much worse than his bite and deep down, he was one of the kindest people I would ever know. I loved him because he loved my dad and was such a true friend to my dad.  My brother, Steve – such an incredible dad and certainly my husband, Bill ~the most loving, accepting, supportive dad.  My kids have no idea how lucky they are ~ but some day ~ they will know.  It is all part of the journey.

The photo I have posted is the last time I saw my dad.  I knew when I left the farm in Ohio that day, it might be the last time that I would be with him and it was.  I keep this photo with me every day and yes, it is frayed and faded, but that is my Dad and I love him with all my heart and today and every day, I celebrate him.

Nobody better …