My Daddy

The following is something I believe from my experiences:

There is a saying that I believe hold a lot of truth-

"Any man can become a Father, but it takes a special man to be a Dad."

There is a difference between nature and nurture. By nature a man can become a father- you know the process I don't have to explain. But by nurturing their child through being there for them, supporting them in all ways, and always being a part of their life- that is how a man becomes a dad.

It is also my believe that if a man has become a father-he has to try and be there for their child(ren) to even become a dad in their child's eye- especially when the child is older. A dad will admit to and take responsibility for mistakes they have made when it comes to there children.

Many of you may not know this about me, but the man I call Daddy, Don Wood, (yes I'm 22 and am proud to call him Daddy), is not my biological father. He may not have been in the hospital when I was born or a part of my life until I was the age of 8, but he is my dad. Granted, he and I may have had some rough points in our relationship, but what child doesn't have that with their dad? He taught me important life lessons and has been there for me whenever I have needed him. I am thankful for everything in my relationship with Daddy, even the bad parts, because I believe we both learned from them. I have the greatest respect for my dad and any man who is a dad like him.

In closing I would like to say-

Blood does not matter when it comes to family- it is the bond you have with them that makes them family.

My Most Recent Life Lesson Adventure

Back in my younger days (ha ha ha), my daddy, Don Wood, taught me some life lessons. Lessons such as how to check the oil in my car, how to change a tire, how to use a jack, check the PSI in a tire, how to shake a persons hand, how to think a problem through and solve it and other such lessons as these.

I tend to use these lessons a good bit- checking oil, shaking a persons hand, check PSI, etc. There was one specifically today that I had to use for the first time- changing a tire.

Today, I was driving north on I-65. Just less than 6 miles into Tennessee, the front tire on the driver's side blew out. Thankfully, I was not in congested traffic and I was able to keep control of the car as I pulled to the left hand side. Now you're thinking- why the left side? Answer: I was in the fast lane passing a truck pulling a horse trailer.

I got to the side of the road and had to take a few deep breathes. I was a bit shaken up at the experience so far, but got out of the car and took a look at the damage. I went to the trunk and dug up the doughnut tire and the jack and headed to the tire. I was having a hard time getting the nuts off of the tire due to how tight they were. A very nice gentleman driving a semi, pulled over and offered a helping hand.

He helped me get the blown tire off and the new tire on, telling me that just over the hill was the next exit with a service station and I wold be able to fill the tire up with air. I shook his hand and thanked him for his help. He told me, "If either of my daughters were in this situation, I would hope someone would stop to help them as well." It was nice to see that there are still good Samaritans in the world.

I got the tire filled with air and made it safely home. My word of advice to you, if you do not know how to change tire- learn. Doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, it is a good thing to know. ( I sound like my daddy...uh-oh!)

I have to say I am immensely thankful for several things today. I am thankful for making it safely home and for good Samaritans. I am very thankful for my daddy having taught me these thing.