Mack Academy Weblog

This Father's Day, I wanted to share how much my dad means to me.  

For as long as I can remember, my dad has made it clear that the family is important to him.  Dad chose to work at home so that he can spend more time with the family.  He welcomes us at all times of the day to show him a craft or a test grade and he works hard to make sure that we don't feel like a nuisance but that we understand that he values our attention.

God has given my dad a passion for teaching.  Everything is a lesson, and it is rare that I walk away from a conversation without learning something.  A couple of days ago, while setting up a pantograph for my mom, he was excitedly explaining to Kelly and me the device's historical use by President Thomas Jefferson.  Family dinners are so much fun - especially now as Amy and I are approaching voting age.  We are often discussing or debating something, whether it be our stand on a political issue, or a historical fact, or how our government works.  Dad encourages us to pay attention in school by eagerly listening to anything we share - especially about history or physics.  It is not uncommon that we find ourselves the teachers and our parents the students!  Earlier as he was helping me with some technical aspects of a blog post - he took some time to teach me how to understand some of the code that he was entering.  Dad also practices what he preaches.  He not only tells us how important education is but he proved it to us by going back to get both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree!

He is also one of our biggest champions.  In robotics, he is such an encouragement and is always a ready "sounding board" for any idea I have.  Dad inspired me always push myself toward a new level.  Whenever I show him a new pop-up card or knit creation, his enthusiasm means so much and I believe part of the reason why I love to make any of them is because I love the excitement he displays when I show it to him.  I also love working part time in his company because of this enthusiasm.  He is excited about his work and his enthusiasm causes the rest of us to become excited, as well.

Dad has always dreamed big and inspires us to dream big as well.  When I set the goal of getting our robot team to the nationals he did everything possible to encourage me.  Extra meetings were scheduled and he helped me get tutorials and meet people to answer programming questions.  Even when our team didn't make it, he taught me that I should not let that defeat destroy my dreams or goals, but instead accept it and move on.  As I begin the road to college , Dad has been a wonderful counselor, teaching me the lessons he has learned throughout life.

Dad, thank you for your enthusiasm!  Thank you for cheering me on in everything I do.  Thanks for working hard to support us and for "rescuing me" from all those spiders!  I love you and am so thankful that God made you my dad!