1. He was a very young father at 20 and had two girls. Although he was out numbered by 3 girls to 1 guy, he never made us feel like he would have wanted it any other way.
2. He is one of the hardest working men I know. His drive and focus blows my mind.
3. When I was in grade school, my dad would spend his mornings walking about 2 miles a day reading gas meters for the gas company so that he could be home in the afternoons with us.
4. He is a Bass Master Fisherman. He taught me that waking up at the butt crack of dawn to go fishing was also about calm waters, sunrises, quiet and peace.
5. His best friend is his dad.
6. He used to know all the words to Eddy Grant's Electric Avenue. I'd like to challenge him to a sing off with that one.
7. He is the best softball coach and teacher I have ever known. On one of our last visits to see them, he taught my little girl how to swing a bat properly. That came in handy yesterday at her birthday party when she beat the crap out of her pinata! He would have been so proud.
8. He told me a long time ago that "we never try to fail, we just sometimes fail to try." Those words have carried me many places.
9. Next to his mother, he is the most positive fighter I have ever known.
10. In the eighties, my sister's friends had such a crush on my dad because he looked like Tom Selleck. I always thought he looked like the Marlboro Man.
11. I have never seen my father without a mustache.
12. I have however, seen my father in full drag attire. (It was for a fund raising event!)
13. He always picks up his phone when I call.
14. I got my zest for life and adventure from my dad. He got kicked out of a few boarding and private schools growing up. For nothing that was mean spirited mind you, but he certainly had fun and was living life.
15. He continues to show me how to give and take love and respect. How to laugh at life and when to cry with it. He is my rock.
He is my father, who is a stellar example of how a husband and father should be to a woman and family. He was involved in an accident on May 30th that has still left him in the hospital. A few weeks ago, I went down to spend some time with him and help where I could. There was one point where my mom, myself and my sister were all around him and he needed all of us. He was not bitter or angry or grumpy but rather so thankful and blessed that his girls were there to help him. I am so lucky and honored to have been able to help my father when he was down. It's just a little speck of payback for all the times he's been there to pick me up when I was down.
And yes, that is my family picture, circa 1975. And yes, I am the freaky one sticking my tongue out. But really...this picture is all my about groovy dad.
I love you dad. Happy Father's day - juni
Happy Father's Day weekend everyone .... see you on Monday.
