My dad made me a better nurse. He still makes me a better nurse and leader. He just so happens to have done the same for my three other siblings, as well, but we all know I’m the favorite.

I’m fortunate to still have my dad physically in my life, and I never take it for granted. He’s the most humble man I know, and he leads as a servant. Truer than true, he taught me to take control of my own education through reading book after book – and mainly one Book with countless wisdom and applications.

His encouragement is soft and persistent, like good rain. His presence is easy and inviting. His laughter is sweet melody, like the guitar he can strum for hours. He’s a morning person. And if he’s ever hospitalized, I will be that person bringing a box of herb bottles to the admit nurse because he’ll take his garlic, vitamin C, and umpteenth other herbs forever but will never consider them “medicine.” He laughed as I used his medicine cabinet as a first-year nursing student pharmacology project. It was rough. And hysterical now that I really think about it.

Happy Father’s Day to my dad and all the dads and other gentlemen who’ve made fabulous nurses and other professionals! Mwwwwaaaaah!