My Daddy

Father's Day is Sunday so I thought I would take the time to write about my Daddy.  I am a smart enough girl to know that I am beyond blessed to have Rex Hensley for my father.  My Daddy was the type that was ALWAYS there.  He always came to my ball games and he always let me know that he was proud of me.  I remember when I was in the seventh grade and started volleyball.  My dad was still playing men's league softball, something that he enjoyed being a part of very much.  That was the last time he played because he said that his softball made him miss my games too much and he wouldn't do it anymore.  He pushed me to be my very best.  He knew I was capable of high grades and would accept nothing less than A's from me.  Because of his pushing me and never letting me settle I had most of my education paid for.  One of my favorite quotes from my Daddy is "if you do it right the first time you don't have to go back and fix it."  I have tried very hard to use this in my life.    My dad always came up with fun stuff for us to do.  When we were younger Josh and I built TONS of stuff with dad.  We had stuff all in his shop and we always had a project.  We had a 2 story tree house equipped with a pulley system so that I could get my doll stuff up to the top level with out dragging them up the ladder.  We had a playhouse out back that someone could make a bedroom if they chose to.  It was built so sturdy that it is still standing and still could be used.  I remember Josh and I both had those battery powered vehicles made like jeeps.  We played with them all the time.  Dad made us, out of wood, a gas pump so that we could play store with each other.  My Daddy was always out in the yard helping us with pitching(he has taken more shin injuries on a bucket than should happen), he was always up for a 2 on 1 game with me and Josh.  Sometimes we could get mom out to play basketball with us but nobody ever wanted her on their team...she throws like a girl and shoots the weirdest shot EVER.  Fishing was a fun past time for us growing up and since we had a pond in the back yard, we would just grab our poles and go.  No matter how tired my dad was after a LONG day of work, he was always ready to spend time with us...I got an easy bake over for a gift when I was younger and LOVED baking with it.  My Mom would help me bake something during the day and when dad would get home I would have a surprise for him.  My mom would help me set up my tea set and me and my daddy would have our very own little tea party when he got home.  I got my love for cooking from my dad.  I also got my hatred for cleaning up afterwards from him.  My daddy is actually one of the best cooks I know.  He can cook anything but his specialty is sweets.  Especially the cheesecake.  He makes all kinds.  My favorite is homemade oreo crust, chocolate chip, with caramel on top.  Oh my gosh.  The strawberry chocolate is a close second.  Josh's favorite is the peanut butter.  I think mom's is the cranberry.  He has never made a bad one.  He has even made them ove ra camp fire after making his own pan out of tin foil.  Chris Vest has dubbed my dad Ranger Rex after observing my father camping.  He cooks all day when we camp.  Every meal.  Thank goodness, because God love my Momma...she isn't the best cook.  My dad can fix just about anything.  He also can get you a deal on some junk.  My mom's house and dad's shop and other buildings are filled with random crap my dad will never use, but he got a good deal on. He can usually be found at Big Lots and Dirt Cheap on Friday's and Lacon and Flea Markets on Saturday.  Not to mention yard sales.  He enjoys the process and has found some useful stuff over the years.  Above all my Daddy has loved me.  I was surrounded all growing up by people whose father's weren't around or didn't really care.  I always knew I was beyond blessed to have a father that loved me so much.  I remember VERY vividly being in the shop with Dad and spending time with him and having a break down and just starting to cry because it hit me so hard how lucky I was to have my father.  He had no idea what was going on and was like "did you hurt yourself?" I told him that I just knew how lucky I was and he hugged me and told me he loved me.  I having one of those moments right now.  Even now that I am grown he takes care of me in so many ways: monetary support, always ready to spend time together, and more than that just still loving me.  My Daddy shaped me so much into the young woman I am.  Knowing that a man could love me no matter what and support me and make me first in their life... It gave me a healthy view of myself and made me want a healthy relationship.  I married a man much like my father and for that I am so thankful.  I know my children are going to be as blessed as I was.  So to my Daddy:  Thank you.  I know I don't tell you enough but I do realize how blessed I am to have you.  I love you so very much and I will always be Daddy's Little Girl!