Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father's Day. While putting my kids to bed tonight I thought about my own father. I thought about how great of a man he is. I have learned so much from him. Thanks to him (and my mom) I have a knowledge of Jesus Christ. He taught me a lot through his example. My dad taught me how to work. The guy is a relentless worker. I saw that from him every day growing up. I never heard my dad complain about working, or a particular job at hand. Never. Whether he had to work late into the night in the cold & rain, or whether he had late church meetings the guy just never complained.

In college my dad was trained in forestry. I think he knows every plant out there. Honestly. You go on a hike with him and he'll be pointing out plants you've never heard of, "Oh there's the Brazilian Blue Bonnet wildflower." So, then you start quizzing him. I still can't recall ever stumping the guy.

He raised 4 boys, and consequently was Scout Master for what probably seemed like 100 years. But, he loved it. Much like plants, I think he knows every knot there is...and not just the one where the bunny goes around the tree and down the hole and up again...or however that one goes. He's done everything there is in Scouting, and is basically a Jedi Knight (or maybe it's a Silver Beaver) when it comes to the Boy Scouts of America.

My dad has the uncanny ability to build things out of nothing. Seriously, give my dad some random pieces of wood, nails, some other odds and ends (that others would just get rid of), and he can make something useful. I've seen it. Actually in the picture above he and I did just that. Together we built my kids a play structure out of basically nothing, thanks to him. He also definitely "has a green thumb." At our old house he grew beautiful roses, gardens full of vegetables, countless berries, several fruit trees, etc. Much like Gregor Mendel of old, he even did some grafting with some of his apple trees, I believe. I mean the guy even makes his own apples! Who does that?

Some other highlights I'll bring up are his love for his country and its freedoms, his Boston sports, and the beauty of this earth God created for us. Most of all I know my dad loves me and my family. Family is extremely important to him. I always knew my dad loved me. Due to his work he couldn't always be at my sporting events, but when he was there I knew it...he can cheer/yell with the best of them. I would say my dad is more of teacher by example than by word, but I do remember him explaining the importance of the Melanson family name and the duty we held in not tarnishing it. I hope to always do that for you dad. Thank you for all you have done, for all you do, and all you will do for our family. We are blessed to have you as our patriarch. Happy Father's Day.