A tribute to my dad.

Dad & Katy, Nauvoo Pageant Workshops 2005

Last Thursday, as I was walking out of the doctor's clinic at UVU after my mandatory marital examination *cough*, I was reminded of how fabulous my daddy is. What an odd time to think about your dad, you say? Well, let me tell you why.

I had just been stuck several times unsuccessfully trying to get a blood sample out of me.. and finally they just gave up and told me to come back on Monday.
This reminded me of my first year of college when I spontaneously decided to get licensed as a phlebotomist. In case you're not sure what this is, it's that person that pretty much everybody hates in hospitals or at blood drives or at plasma centers that sticks sharp needles deep into your veins. I give you permission to become extremely paranoid when I tell you that it only takes 4 classes to become one of these dreaded people. Maybe that is why most of them hurt you so bad? I'm not sure.
I was pretty good at it though... but that is beside the point.

Anyway, this class was a little scary.... They handed us needles the first day and had us sticking each other before the class was over. Two days into it, we had to bring volunteers to class, (probably because all of our veins were bruised and nearly useless at this time...seriously, we all looked like heroin addicts.)

Do you know how difficult it is to get someone to volunteer to come and have a bunch of terrified needle stickers poke you over and over?? -I must say it is terrifying the first several times you do it. The sensation of a needle pushing through flesh is rather disgusting, in addition to the pain of the patient. Overall, not a very pleasant experience.

So... let's just say, nobody was pounding my door down for the opportunity. However, my dad agreed to come and do it without hesitation. What an awesome guy :)

When we got to class, he really got thrown to the dogs. After I stuck him once or twice, the scary, possibly not-all-there, slightly un-hygienic guy in the class had a go at him..(only because no one else would let this scary person near them.) I'm all about treating people nicely and everything, but when it comes to pain and major bleeding, I am a bit more selective. After the encounter, he tried to sell my dad his homemade calendars he was also trying to push off on his fellow classmates....

Well all lived though, slightly bruised, but noone got hepatitis :)

So as my darling dad was voluntarily looking up the prices of my birth control prescription online, and when all of my car windows were scraped of ice and snow when I woke up this morning, I thought of all of the things my dad has done for me. He has done so much, ranging from terrifying to expensive to heroic to thoughtful to sweet... he is the best dad ever.