Growing up, I was used to my Dad’s popularity.  As a physical education teacher at CAL Berkeley, he was loved and adored by all…and still is!  When I would have the chance to go in to work with him on occasion, and we’d walk across campus, we were constantly interrupted by students and colleagues alike who wanted to talk to him or just say hello.  I remember him also saying hello or giving an acknowledging smile and nod to whoever walked by us…as a kid, I thought he knew everyone in the world!  I was proud to be walking with this well-known and well-liked-by-all person!  “I’m with him” I’d happily think to myself.

He’s also famous in the fly-fishing world!  There are times when people find out that I am “Al Kyte’s daughter” and they are impressed.  I smile, and nod…yes, I’m used to it.  “Yes, I know he’s wonderful!  🙂 Did I mention that I fly-fish too?!!!” (I can hang onto the shirttails of his fame just a little!!) Ha! Ha!  But those who fly-fish and have read his books (yes, he’s an author too!  I know!!) look up to him with respect and admiration.   “He’s MY Dad” I think to myself.

My Dad is retired now, but he’s busier than ever!  He volunteers much of his time to mentoring men in a recovery program at City Team…men who are trying to quit addictions, get off the streets, and put their lives back in order so they can go on to live full lives.  My Dad has so much coaching background in sports which makes him a good “life coach” for them.  When they fail, he hurts for them.  When they succeed, he can rejoice with them!  When he tells me their stories, and the wisdom he shares with them, I think to myself, “Yep.  That’s MY Dad!  I’m with him!” 🙂

Every year about 500 people come through his native plant garden to admire the beauty of his garden.  He’s got this “gift” for creating the most beautiful landscapes…recreating much of what he’s seen in nature from what he’s seen while fly-fishing through it!  He has an artistic “eye” for creating beautiful “sight lines”.  People surround him on garden tour day asking for his wisdom and advice with their own gardens.  I’m usually a greeter/ticket collector that day…not at all the gardener he is (not even close), but I watch as the flock of people follow him around the garden with their cameras and notebooks, and I’m in awe!  “My Dad is so cool!” is what I’m thinking to myself.

I could go on.  My Dad is amazing.  I’m totally putting him on the spot by writing all this (sorry Dad! Not really though.) 😉

One evening when I was about maybe 10 years old, he and I were on a walk around the neighborhood together.  He waved to someone on a different street than I’d been down with him, and the person waved back (as they always did to him).  I asked my Dad if he knew him and he said he didn’t.  A little bubble was burst that day because I thought he knew the world, remember?  But I also realized that day that my Dad was an even more amazing person because he was even friendly to those he did NOT know.

My Dad is humble.  He’s sensitive and he’s kind to the world.  He’s full of wisdom, love and compassion.  He’s smart, gifted at so many things, and is a wonderful teacher because he’s also a great listener.  His dimpled smile lights up a room!  I can talk to him about anything…and I know he’ll hear me and pray for me.

The greatest thing about my Dad is that he loves Jesus with all his heart and he encourages us in our own walks with the Lord.  He leads by example.  Because of his example, I have never had a difficult time seeing God as a loving father (and I know, sadly, this is not the case for many people who grew up with harsh fathers or no fathers at all).   I was thinking this morning about how just like I am “Al Kyte’s Daughter”, I am also God’s child.  🙂  I belong to the One who spoke the universe into existence!!  I belong to Jesus Christ….I am a child of God…I am HIS!!

I am His.

“God’s spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.  We know who He is, and we know who we are:  Father and children.”  Romans 8:16