The biggest influence on my life was and is my dad. He is so special to me, it’s hard to put it into words. He filled my heart with so much love, and he taught me so many things. Some of the things he taught me were how to hunt, fish, haul wood, and so much more. He taught me how to use the right tools, and how to be strong and brave. I am so thankful to God for making him my dad.

What I always remember of him is how he walked me to the bus stop in the morning before he left for work. When he returned from work at the end of the day, we would watch TV together. His favorite thing to watch on the weekdays was the news; he would talk to me about the weather and tell me I needed to watch the news with him more often. On the weekends, it was Sanford and Son.

We would celebrate holidays together and enjoy our family time. He used to say that if we were naughty, we might not get anything, but he always got me something, no matter what. I was his only daughter and the youngest, so he spoiled me!

I had six older brothers, but the second oldest passed in 2016, a year before my dad passed. And now I just have my mom and five older brothers, but as a family we always stick together.

I always attended Sunday church with my dad. I really miss him; I wish he could come back to me, but I know he is always in my heart and I will always remember and cherish our times together. He instilled in me the importance of being thankful for all that we have, and always being thankful to God.