| Dedicated to My Father, My Husband, and My God | | | | There's a quote by Billy Graham, a well-known |
| My father was a First Sergeant in the Marine Corps, | | | | Christian Evangelist who said, "A good father is one |
| serving in the Vietnam War. He came home with | | | | of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet |
| wounds and purple hearts to show for it. | | | | one of the most valuable assets in our society." |
| I was born during that time in November of 1967. He | | | | I agree with Billy Graham; fathers do so much, they |
| was there a few days after I was born but had to | | | | mean so much and are valuable in our society, but |
| return to Vietnam shortly after. He may have come | | | | are not given the praise and appreciation they |
| home another time when I was very little, but I don't | | | | deserve. I pray that this Father's Day you would |
| remember. I remember seeing him for the first time | | | | honor your fathers, husbands, brothers and any men |
| when I was about five years old. | | | | you know in this important role and bless them with |
| I still remember the day he came home from the | | | | your words of affirmation, your actions and your |
| war. My mother, brothers and I were standing right | | | | love for all they do. While you are doing this, don't |
| outside on the blacktop where the planes landed, | | | | forget you also have a Heavenly Father who loves |
| waiting anxiously for him to walk out. | | | | you and is right there with you. |
| Suddenly, a handsome young man dressed in a beige | | | | I would like to make a special dedication to my |
| Marine uniform with medals swarming the side of his | | | | father, David Jaffa Solomon, my husband, Daniel |
| chest and wearing a sharp hat to match started | | | | Wiedenhoff, and my Heavenly Father. |
| walking toward us. I remember my mother bending | | | | My father is now in heaven but I know I will see him |
| down beside me, whispering in my ear saying, "That's | | | | again. I just want to say, "Dad, I salute you with all |
| your father." Without any hesitation I remember | | | | my heart and I'm so proud of you. Thank you for |
| running up to him as fast as I could, opening up my | | | | loving me, my family and my country. I love you and |
| arms and jumping right into his chest. He caught me | | | | I will see you again!" |
| in the air, hugging me tight, swinging me around | | | | To my husband, Dan, "Thank you for being a |
| laughing with the biggest smile I ever saw. | | | | wonderful father; for all that you do, your hard work, |
| At that moment in time it didn't matter that I didn't | | | | labor of love and commitment to taking care of your |
| know him; all I knew was he was my father and I | | | | family, even when you are tired or don't feel like it. |
| loved him and he obviously loved me back. It was | | | | No matter what, you still get up and go to work |
| the beginning of a new relationship and I couldn't wait | | | | every day to provide for us. We love you, |
| to get started. | | | | appreciate you, and thank you for all you do!" |
| Our relationship never changed from that day. I was | | | | To my God and Heavenly Father, "Thank You for |
| daddy's little girl (and only girl) so I can honestly say I | | | | sacrificing Your only Son to give us eternal life. Thank |
| was indeed spoiled and my three brothers, Jaffa, | | | | you for Your unconditional love that never fails, Your |
| John, and James can all testify to that fact, but they | | | | consistent caring for us, and for never leaving nor |
| were okay with it being that I was a "girl" and all. | | | | forsaking us. There is nothing in this world I could |
| There's something special about a father's love that | | | | give You to express my gratitude for all You have |
| makes us feel secure, protected and grounded in | | | | done for us and are still doing, except to say my |
| who we are. Perhaps it's because of their strong | | | | prayer is that we could show You our appreciation |
| stature, their demeanor, or the fact that we know | | | | by living a life which honors You and glorifies Your |
| they go to work day in and day out to support the | | | | name. Thank You so much and we love You!" |
| family, whether they feel like it or not. It's not a | | | | To all you fathers, "Happy Father's Day!" May you be |
| conscious thought on our part, it's just a sense of | | | | blessed this day with peace, love and many blessings. |
| comfort and security knowing they are there. | | | | We honor you and we appreciate you for all you do! |