Cheers, Buddy. Even though you no longer drink, let's have a toast of Diet Coke...here's to you Dad.
A toast to my Father, the amazing Jack Kenneth Gannon. No special occasion, except that he deserves it, and probably doesn't hear it enough. You're amazing. Isn't that the reason for a toast, afterall? To Amazing-ness.
Mr. Jack Gannon, born and raised in Wibaux, MT, just a small-town Montana boy at heart, but that heart is made of pure, wholesome, GOLD. But yet, you're so damn tough all at the same time.
The lessons you have taught me are endless, but here a
re a few I am thankful for, and in turn, leave me toasting you for being so damn awesome:
1. You taught me what true love is. True love is the way you learned to french braid my hair when I was a kindergartner, because my mama had to go back to work and you had more flexibility. True love is the way you never forget a birthday, anniversary, valentine's day, or other special occasion you share with my awesome mama. True love is working several jobs, mostly all at once, to support your family. True love is working 4 days a week in Valley City, ND and leaving your loved family at home so you can have a job with good pay and maybe even some benefits. True love is making sacrifice after safcrifice after sacrifice for your wife and kids. True love is being the room Dad in my kindergarten class. True love is the look on your face when Tatum gives you a hug. True love is bailing your k
ids out time and time again and teaching them lessons at the same time. True love is tough love. True love is wise words. True love is what you have taught us.
2. You taught me to work. And not only did you teach me, you taught my brothers too, and thanks to you, they're pretty awesome. You taught us to work through love and tough choices on your part, but not through anger or violence (even though we most likely deserved it).
3. You taught me so much wisdom. Your wisdom is truly amazing, some might be jealous of it, because there is just so much. Call me biased (afterall, I am the baby girl of the family), but even at 28, I still believe you know everything. And if you don't know, you have an answer. You know what car I should buy, what job I shoul
d take, what flooring I should choose, where I should vacation, the list is ENDLESS. But it's all right there in your heart and mind.
4. You taught me how to live. This is one of my favorite things about you. You taught me that life is short. Afterall, your Dad (another awesome small town boy from Wibaux, MT) died at the young age of 46 (could be wrong on this age, but I'm close). You were just a boy yourself. But you learned at that point (or at least that's my assumption) that it was time to live your life. You are the only person I know that has a true bucket list and is actually crossing things off that list. And that makes you a hero in my eyes. Not that you weren't the moment I set foot in this crazy world. But that's just one more thing that puts you on a pedestal. You taught me that money doesn't grow on trees, but it also doesn't go on a hearse. You taught me you have to work hard, but it's ok to live and vacation and spend the m
oney you work hard for. You taught me that life is too damn short to settle for a job that sucks. And that even though it's important to pay the bills, it's more important to live each day like it was your last. I've had a lot of reflection about this in my huge lifespan, and especially in the last few years since I myself have finally cut the cord and started to pay my own bills. And this is by far one of the most amazing things about you. You are a responsible, thoughtful free-spirit all rolled into one. I long to have that ability.
5. Family First, Questions Later. This is a big one. It goes along with the things I've already said. But you are a prime example of unconditional love. You love your wife like a fairytale. But not the cheesy fairytale that we all know what the ending will be like. It's like the fairytale that you fell in love, made a promise, and kept that promise, even though that meant a lot of sacrifices on your part. One big one comes to mind, but I don't think I need to announce it for the world. Because you know what it is. You love your k
ids unconditionally. And not the way ALL parents say they love their kids unconditionally. You love your kids when they wreck all your cars, when they drink all your beer (and I'm not talking when they're "of age"), when they date real douchebags (geez, boys!), when they go off to college and don't do so hot, when they throw parties in your garage while you're on vacation (damn boys, give your Dad a break), when they act like children even though they're adults, and when they end up successful, smart, and filled with love themselves. You love them the same no matter what. You always have. And that, Mr. Gannon, is
something to be proud of.
I've stopped at 5 lessons. Obviously that's a substantially smaller amount than you've actually taught me. But these are some of my favorites. And you, Mr. Jack Kenneth Gannon, deserve a toast, for teaching your children these awesome lessons. You deserve to know that you're amazing, smart (brilliant, in fact), and full of wisdom. You work hard, and you deserve to be treated with respect. If you can't get it from this crazy, screwed-up world, just know you have at least 4 (much more than that, I know) people who you've taught so much to, and who are so grateful for you.
We love you Mr. Gannon, small town Montana b
oy, and we appreciate you.
Love,
Your Family
No comments:
Post a Comment