Sunday, June 15, 2008

That's my Dad! I love my Dad!

The other day I met the new missionary in the ward. To help him place me in the ward family tree, I told him that I was the daughter of Brother Inman, the man who had picked him up from the mission home. “”Brother Inman?" He said. "You mean my favorite guy in the whole world!”

That’s my Dad. If you have met him, he is probably one of your favorite guys as well. He is kind, and sweet, and funny, and generous, and hard-working, and one of the coolest guys around. 


I didn’t always know how cool he was. I remember when he used to drive me to school in his old carpet cleaning van. It was old, rusty and kind of smelly, and I hated being driven to school in it. I would ask to be dropped off a a few blocks away, and when he wouldn’t do that, I would scrunch down as small as possible and try to sneak out of the van without anyone seeing me. Until of course, he caught on and began honking his horn, pointing at me and shouting “That’s my girl! I love that girl!” when I got out of the van.

Many years later, I realize that is one of the reasons he is so cool. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and he didn’t want me to either. He taught me that what other people think of you doesn’t matter, what you think of yourself does.

He is the most selfless and generous person I know. During my several hospitals stays over the past few years he made it his personal mission to take care of me. He would arrive early in the morning, and stay until Spencer arrived after work. When I got up to use the bathroom, or take a walk in the hall, I would return to find my bed remade. All this he did despite his own personal aches and pains.

He is a great missionary too. One time as I was driving to the East Coast, he drove with me as far as Arkansas and then took a bus home (see what I mean about being selfless). On the bus he met a gang member who had just been released from prison. He then proceeded to teach this man about the atonement, and when the man said that he could never be forgiven for the terrible things he had done, my Dad said “You’re wrong. Don’t you dare say that. Jesus’s atonement is for everyone.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would have the nerve to tell a hardened ex-con he was wrong about anything.

I could go on for hours about my Dad and how wonderful he is, but for now, I will just honk my imaginary horn and shout at the top of my lungs, “That’s my Dad! I love my Dad!”

6 comments:

Camille said...

this makes me cry...and I'm sure you know why. You're very blessed. I love this picture of him SO much. He really is a gentle giant.

Trena said...

Tammy - you are such a beautiful writer and thanks for sharing such wonderful stories about your dad!

Anne said...

Only one of the coolest dads in the world could have raised one of the coolest people in the world. Love this post. Love you!

Anonymous said...

My favorite Tamster:

Nonna sent me the link to your Blog. Love the stuff about Uncle Norman! He's the best guy...next to my own dad! So EXCITED to hear about the peanut. Hope all is well in TX. I miss you and all the Christmas fun (like lighting your house on fire!!)Praying all goes well. Love to you and Spencer! Holly

Pixie said...

That story about honking the horn totally cracked me up! :)

Unknown said...

OK, I want to yell at the top of my lungs "THATS MY UNCLE AND I LOVE HIM OH SO VERY MUCH"
Tammy you are so right, he is the most wonderful man who has been in my life,and with out your dad, and all the love he has shared with me, especially when we were just youngins, i just don't know if I would be the person I am today. My Uncle Norman taught me to love people, be patient, life is good and family is special. With tears rolling down my face I have so much feeling for all the love my special uncle has given me, especially at times when I just didnt think I was worth anything, he always told me,that I was, and when he walks in a room and I am in it he makes me feel so loved and that is the most special gift I have ever received. He also has a special sister, our auntie donna and the two of them, well lets just say we could go on for hours, just giggling at the many memories we have growing up with them. I am a grown woman now with three grown teenagers, but when I am with my uncle and auntie I still feel like I'm 5. Just like a little girl. I wish we could all go back, just to one Christmas and for just a short time embrace how fortunate we were to have such a special family that was full of so much love. There are so many funny memories too, Too many to mention, but one that pops in at this moment was your dad dressing up like Santa in a gorilla suit and scaring the heck out of us all while we laughed so hard we p---d our pants. Please give uncle Norman a kiss on his forehead for me tonight and tell him he is forever my favorite Uncle and he will always have ALL of my love.....
and for you Tammy I am so excited to see you (prego) I was sooooooo huge with all three of my kids but I am so excited and I see it's a girl, I voted on her name, Belle Diana Lynn would be nice, ha ha just kidding. You could call her whatever she is going to be the joy in both spencer and your life. I love you all, please tell everyone Hi and I am counting the days to see you,
can't wait I want to give you all big hugs,
lots of love to ALL OF YOU,
Diana