In Honor of My Two Favorite Fathers

Just a little something for Father’s Day weekend…

I always knew that my father was a little older than the other kids’ dads. Not because he acted it, just because I knew his age. As a matter of fact, he didn’t “act” it at all. He was 42 when I was born, but he could have been 22 for all I knew. He’s always lived his life with pure energy and he’s still full of the same exuberance these days.

I remember one time while checking on our neighbors’ house while they were gone on vacation, we ended up in their backyard. They had a trampoline back there and Daddy and I decided take it for a little spin or tumble… whatever. I have NEVER seen my dad laugh that hard at himself. Here he was in his late 50’s jumping on a trampoline for the first time, about to bust a gut and all I could do was join in and laugh too. I was just so amused that HE was so amused! The only other times he’s even gotten close to having that much child-like fun is on one of our many roller coaster rides together!

When I was a little girl my father would pull up about the same time every day from work in his 1970 Chevy truck and I could hear it when he turned the engine off. I would meet him at the door and he would say, “Come give me some “shouggy” (translation, sugar, as in kiss.) I always planted a big one on one of his sideburned cheeks and then gave him a huge hug. With Daddy home my life was complete.

He and my mother are the reason I have seen a good portion of the western United States and other parts of the country. My parents love to travel and during my childhood Daddy was the one who spear-headed the road/camping trips. He was the primary driver and kept all of our gear and equipment in good shape. He was always so proud to get us to some place like The Grand Canyon or the Redwood Forest. I am so grateful for his passion for traveling and thank him for being the ultimate tour guide, even on a desolate road in no-man’s-land Arizona.

He helped with my dreaded Algebra and science homework and has always been such a support in anything I did whether it be academics, sports or singing. He was at every game and performance and award ceremony with a big smile of pride on his face.

He is not without his faults as he is only human, but to me he is the best father I could have EVER wished for and he continues to influence my life all the time with his wisdom and love.

I love you Daddy, thanks for every little thing but mostly for your love and support all of my life.