A Day for My Dad.

"Any man can be a father; it takes someone special to be a dad."

This photograph was taken exactly two years ago today.  In one photo are the three most important men in my life: my husband, my brother, and my dad.  The dictionary holds thousands upon thousands of words, yet, not one can describe the love I have for each one of them.  

Today is more than just Father's Day.  Today is my dad's birthday.  Happy Birthday, daddy!  My world would not have been the same without you in it.  You've taught me to be the person that I am today.  Work hard and be nice to people; it has always been your motto. It is what I strive to do each and every single day.  I love you for that.

We had a simple day.  A typical Brazilian barbecue and a soccer match; it couldn't have been any better. It's in the little things that you realize how much you already have.  I love my dad and sometimes I wish there was more that I could do to show him.  What he has done for me, all of the things he has given up, well, there is no way I could ever truly show my gratitude.

Sure, he has his flaws.  Don't we all?  An imperfect man whose love I never doubted.  An example of always, always putting his children first.  If you ask me, I think that is what being a dad is all about.  

I love him, period.

xx

Day Two: post surgery Ziggles.

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Last night I did not sleep a wink.  With Ziggy's current situation, I felt that he shouldn't sleep alone.  So, being the good fur momma that I am, I slept downstairs in the guest room, Ziggy included.  Oh-my-goodness.  Every hour on the hour I was startled from sleep.  He cried, he whined, he ran from one end of the room to the other, he did not sit still.  At around three in the morning I woke up and realized he was not in the room.  I sat motionless on the bed waiting, and then I heard him.  Apparently, Ziggy decided to take a walk around the house and then could not find his way back.  I-kid-you-not.  I found him in the family room lost and whimpering.  The Ziggles is overly dramatic, seriously.

Ziggy Marley is part of our little family.  It pains me to see him so uncomfortable.  He paces back and forth, back and forth, he rolls over on the rug, runs around in circles and looks at me,  pleading, "Please, please, take this off of my furry neck!".  How are we going to survive the next eight days?  Did I mention he sits still for about 0.005 seconds?  Did I mention his anxiety is giving me anxiety?  I am exhausted just by watching him.  Felipe finds this amusing.  Well, of course he does, he slept through the night.  But, I love the little fur ball.  

It looks as though I will be spending yet another night downstairs.  A part of me is just a little nervous leaving him alone to wander.  Ziggy Marley cannot be trusted.  I may be risking yet another night of sleep.  However, isn't that what you do for the ones you love?  Sure, he may just be a doggy, but, he is my doggy.  He is our little bratty fur child.  Though he is driving me bananas, I adore his little face.  Only eight more days.  Eight more days.  

Ziggles 2, Renata 0.

xoxo