Tyrus Lamar Pendergrass

Blog readers, I apologize for the lengthy gaps in my blogs lately. There is just so much life to live in Juneau, and we don't have our own internet in our apartment. I would love to update you on what has been going on with Polly and I, but today is a special day that calls for a special blog.

Today is June 19, 2011 - Father's Day

As I was sitting and thinking about my Dad in church this morning in Juneau at 11am, my Dad was probably at my brother Jeremy's house in Ruston, LA hanging out with Jeremy, Emery, Luke, my mom, and Emery's fam at what would be 2pm his time.

Man I really wish that I could have been there to give my Dad a hug.

I like hugging my Dad, but sometimes his glasses are hanging from around his neck and I'm afraid that they are going to break when our chests meet.

Anyway, I take my Dad for granted. Always have.

I thought about how tons of sons don't worry about breaking their Dad's glasses when they hug him because they never hug him. Some wouldn't even know their dad if he was in the same room with them. And some would rather give their dad a firm handshake and a weak smile because their relationship was never one where love was shown. Yes, some sons would probably rather take a swing at their dad than hug him.

Hugging my Dad isn't the only thing I like about him though. Oh no, I could make a huge list. So, I will just stick to the things that I like about him most.

My dad has always been available. It has been such a blessing for my whole family that my dad's job has allowed him to be available and present whenever we need him. Even though I'm willing to bet that it's not always super convenient for him. I always thought that it was awesome that he could be at all of my baseball games in high school (they began at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and he worked til 5 but he would take off). That was really cool, and he was always noticeable in the crowd because he wore a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off of his neck. I have never told him that I liked that, but I really liked it a lot.

My Dad has always pushed me to do things that are honorable, respectable, and purposeful. I can't say that I've always done those things. Actually, I don't think I could say that I've often done those things, but I probably would have never done anything that had those characteristics if my dad didn't always advise my towards them(no wonder he is good at his job). One thing that is true for as long as I can remember is that Dad has been a good role model for doing things that are honorable, respectable, and purposeful.

My Dad's love for me doesn't have a limit. He has been upset with me a lot, mad at me a lot, disappointed with me a lot. But he has never abandoned his post as a loving father. He has been patient with me a lot, prayed for me a lot, and worked things out for me a lot.

Dad has never ceased to be interested or involved in my life. He wants the best things for me and now Polly as well.

I have never ever EVER needed anything that my dad wouldn't either provide me with or help me get.

I am so thankful for my father.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

I desire to honor my father and my mother, and I aim to do so by not departing from the way they trained me to go.

The blessing of having a father like mine should not go unnoticed by his son. There have been a bunch of times when I have not obeyed my dad and didn't listen to him. Probably every kid does his own thing sometimes (maybe not quite as much as I do), but it doesn't negate the things I have learned from Dad.

there are plenty of things that my Dad has taught me by the way he lives his life that I have chosen to follow after and duplicate in my own life.

Dad emailed me and Jeremy and Tristan the other day to thank us for something, and at the end of the email he told us that we had grown into fine men.

I cannot even express how deeply that pleased my soul.

My whole life I've heard people call me grandfather and my dad fine men. It always made me so proud to be their son and grandson.

So, for my dad to call me a fine man is not a small compliment to me. It is a huge affirmation that encourages me!

So obviously, this blog goes out to my Dad.

Thanks Dad. I love you.