83 Comments
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Carol's avatar

Wow.... just wow! I know you know that no matter what happened later, your father loved you SO MUCH. Don't ever forget that.

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Ernie in River City's avatar

He loved you then. Loves you now. Keep making him proud, Mr. D. I imagine there have been a lot of backs slapped in heaven each time you show Nashville how it’s done.

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Paul Moxness's avatar

Great story! Im sure your father’s support is still with you every time you set foot on a stage!

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Lynn Dobson's avatar

Oh My Goodness Sean... I absolutely loved this memory... my try out for the church choir wasn't as successful. I was about 12 and I was going to join the church choir for children. After the night of singing I was taken aside and told that I probably shouldn't come back for choir practice next week. I was devastated but realized at a young age that "when the Good Lord said to Line up for singing voices" I did not have my listening ears on. I too this day cannot sing a note in tune! But when I am alone I can sing my heart out and No one cares! ha ha ha

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Marie's avatar

The Lord just says "make a joyful NOISE".........He says nothing about it having to be in tune! He inhabits our praise, no matter how out of tune it is!

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Te Burt's avatar

I have always always made a point of telling my daughter how smart, how wonderful, how loved she was and is. Whatever she did or didn't do, she knew her mother was 100% on her side, no matter what. Not how I was raised, so I made sure I did it differently.

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Cheri Hobson-Estes's avatar

I understand. This same thing happened to me, only I was a bit older when the choir director “explained” to me that I didn’t have a singing voice. So, no choir for me.

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Bill Lutterbein's avatar

It works in reverse too. My grandma asked me once when I was in 3rd grade why I couldn’t be smart like my mom and dad. That stuck and I always thought I was stupid. That cut me deeply. Be careful what you say to your children and grandchildren. Be positive, be uplifting, be kind. Even if your kid is stupid, don’t tell them. They probably already know and don’t need reminded. Help them, praise them for the good they do. That will help a lot.

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Debbie grissom's avatar

God does not make stupid

Try to forgive grandma and move on

We all love you

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Anita McMahon's avatar

You are so right. My mom made me feel like I wasn't smart enough.

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Carole Moormann's avatar

Wow you had an awesome Dad!

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Bill Lutterbein's avatar

She’s been dead for 25 years and I forgave her long before that. I am purposeful in the way I talk to my grandsons. Thanks for your kind comment.

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Jane Hampton's avatar

Tears. Look at you now.

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Mary Craig's avatar

I’m so happy that you have that memory of your father’s pride. You are so very right. Kids need to hear that from their parents all the time. Thank you for writing from a child’s perspective and thank you for allowing God to heal your heart so you can heal others. Thank you for being such a servant.

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Melinda Blair's avatar

Tears are streaming.I tell my 45 year old son how proud I am of him,as does his Dad.I remember my parents telling me just do my best...not someone else's best but my best.And I did.Sometimes my best was a major stumble,sometimes it surprised me.I did that well?A memory surfaces.My son played the trumpet in middle school and I thought he did wonderfully well.He went into high school,deciding to play the tuba.If he was happy,fine.But,he wasn't happy.He enjoyed band in middle school,but his interests had changed.He came in the living room looking despondent.He told me he didn't want to be in the band.He thought I would be disappointed as I played four years in my high school band and enjoyed it immensely.Disappointed in him?Not in the least.I was proud he was finding his interests.When he brought me something he made in shop class or in a cooking class I was thrilled.Your Dad,Sean?He was so proud of you.He is still proud of you,looking down and telling others in the Heavens "that's MY son,the writer,a man who shares his heart and soul."

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Judy Raines's avatar

I am proud of my two wonderful boys, and happy that you have such a beautiful memory. That was love!

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John Sewell's avatar

That’s what pride and love does

Makes you forget about wearing boots, dirty work clothes, smelling like Diesel fuel.

Only thing Dad knew and saw was his son in the choir

Singing his best

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Peg's avatar

Wonderful story and thanks so much for sharing 😉….and for the reminder to tell our children that we are proud of them…no matter their age ❤️

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One spoke In the wheel's avatar

I'm dehydrated from tears and my 5 bypasses in 09 are going to burst cause my heart is enlarged...

Hallaluah for our Father and our father.

mike

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Jules Powellhi's avatar

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story! Amen and Aman!!! And Amen again!!

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Cheri Hobson-Estes's avatar

Also, adults/children be sure to tell your mamas and daddy’s how much you love them. Tell them that you appreciate everything that they have done for you or sacrificed for you. One never knows if that will be the last conversation you have with them until we meet in our eternal home.

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Margaret's avatar

Funny, I was just thinking pretty much the same thing. Three years ago today, my 99 year old mother died. The last conversation we had was on the phone, and we ended it by singing one of her favorite hymns, "Angels We Have Heard On High." Very sweet memory for me. We all sang that again at her memorial service.

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