debutaunt.com

I'm Proud of You!

Today is my dad's 8th anniversary of being a Deacon in the Catholic church. Say what you want about organized religion, but I think someone who decides to dedicate their life to God's service is pretty amazing. Especially when you don't get paid for it.

My dad is a very special, sometimes complicated, person. He would give you the shirt off of his back (and literally I have heard of him giving someone a watch right off his wrist). He does so much for so many people. Especially Zoe and me. He's often selfless, sometimes at his own expense. And I do wish sometimes that others would buy *him* breakfast instead of the other way around!!

Dad had a pretty hard life growning up, but that's never stopped him from striving to do the greater good. My entire life I've never worried about not having food to eat or having a roof over our heads. I've watched my dad work hard every day. He was in the Air Force for over 20 years and then worked another decade or so at the Air Force base here in San Antonio as a contractor. He's worked so hard. And I don't know many men who can say they have seven kids that are all college graduates. (yes, mom had something to do with that too).

Dad's beyond generous with his money and his time. He works six days a week and is always headed off to a funeral, baptism, mass, wedding or a meeting for our church. At any given time, we will be eating (or meeting) with one of our priests or nuns or parishoners.

I know no one is perfect, but when I watch my dad work, I know he tries really hard to be as Christ-like as possible. He has such joy during mass, especially at the end when he says, "GO IN PEACE TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD." When he does Zoe's school masses, he also high fives the kids on the way down the aisle.

I've always been proud to be Deacon Debu's_Dad's daughter. But especially today.

Happy Anniversary, Dad. We love you very very much.