Today, my first grand-niece was born in the faraway land of Turkey. Her father is a teacher who works for the Department of Defense. They love their life and I am so very happy for them.
They named their little girl after my husband’s father. This is the second child in the family who has been named after him, my nephew and now my grand-niece. It’s an honor that he richly deserves.
My father-in-law is the kind of man who doesn’t ask for conditions with his love. He drops everything to help all of us, sometimes flying across the country to help us move. I have never heard him ask for a thing or criticize any of us for what we have done in our lives. And we have all made huge mistakes.
His smile is easy. His hands are calloused. He’s a working man. Even now, he starts early in the morning and does manual labor that a lot of men think is beneath them. My father-in-law is beneath no man. He is that rare combination of protector and friend that everyone wants from a father.
He loves his wife. He has loved her since he met her and has never wavered. The only picture he carries in his wallet is a picture of her – the first one she gave him many years ago.
He loves his family – all of us. He loves the wives and husbands of his children as much as his own, I believe. We must have, at times, disappointed him in some way or another. But he has never shown us that disappointment.
He loves to play cards – Euchre especially. He enjoys Lifetime movies. He likes Nascar. He enjoys vacationing in his travel trailer. He and mom plot out their adventures every year like school children ready to catch fireflies and see new sites.
There is nothing he can’t fix or figure out. He never went to college, but I would rank his intelligence far above that of any ivy league graduate, because he is schooled in life.
I married my husband because I love him, but also because I wanted to be a member of his family. Love abounds in their house. It’s not a word that is spoken, it’s an action that is taken.
My parents lived in a big house – not a mansion by any means. But it always seemed small. Never enough room for everyone and as each child left, the empty rooms were used for some other purpose. My husband’s parents live in a small trailer with an addition. They have lived there for 50 years. There has never been a time when we were not welcomed with open arms. There is always room for us and our family and our family’s family. And, this small house never seems crowded. Its walls seem to expand to accommodate all who enter.
And all who enter are loved and taken care of and cherished.
We name our children for various reasons – because the name is popular or we like the meaning. But the greatest name of all is the family name. You name your child after someone you hold in high regard. You want that name to carry on from generation to generation and you want to tell the story of how you picked that name.
In my mind, there is no greater tribute than to have a child named after you – a new life with new promises that will carry on the legacy for generations to come. And in my mind, there is no better name to give to a child than his. Congratulations little Emersyn Michelle. Carry your name with pride because you were named after one of the best.
Tracy,
I tried a dozen times to read what you had written about grandpa out loud to Cathleen. I could have never been able to say it so eloquently. He truly is the man you describe and he has been my hero since I can remember. I remember writing my hero paper on him when I was in junior high. I have always looked up to him and thought he was an amazing man who should be emulated! As you alluded to with grandma right beside him love can conquer all, they are both amazing.
Thank you so very much for writing this!! It is truly amazing, heart felt, and loving. We need people, like you, who are able to capture some of the greatness of individuals in words. You joined the family because you were in love and you wanted to be apart of the love you saw. You great thing is you accomplished that goal and in doing so became one who reflects and show that love.
Again, thank you so much; for more than my words could ever say!!
Love,
Matthew Pfund