My Dad
Yesterday I was at Wal-Mart buying a large bag of dog food and was in the checkout line when the woman behind me asked if I had a dog. On impulse I told her no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the kibble diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with kibble and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no; I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt and a car hit us both. My Dad loved a good joke. My Dad was not perfect, I'm not perfect, neither are you. We didn't always see eye to eye. Raise your hand if you never disagreed with your parent....if you've raised your hand, confessions are heard at St. Alexius just up the street on Saturdays... But, my Dad was a good man who cared about others. If you knew my Dad at all, you probably knew some of the following: -He had 5 children who are all successful college graduates. (Of course, I'm his favorite) *wink,wink* -He was a talented carpenter who built the majority of the house I grew up in, the bed I sleep in every night and various other hope chests and gun cabinets, tables, chairs and other things for the family and maybe some of you sitting here today -He was a to the core Democrat and felt America was built and made great on the backs of the unions and everyday working man. He felt all his children, and everyone for that matter, should vote Democrat and might lecture, I mean suggest this, if given a chance. -He was a die-hard Cardinal fan and took enjoyment in teasing Cubs fans...he did not know I own a few Cubs t-shirts and I was careful not to wear them to the house if he was around -He could make a friend in 5 minutes on a bench at the mall while waiting on my Mom -He was a proud grandfather to 13 including 3 great grandsons -I played college basketball... He might tell you that at least once. -He bought Fords and often lectured, I mean, suggested, his kids should too, or at least not purchase foreign made automobiles. My sister recently bought a Mitsubishi and took him outside the nursing home to show him; she was careful not to wheel him near the decal... -He spent many hours at the Star Cafe and the Elks Lodge with his multitude of friends, these are the times he missed the most in the last 18 months -He often went to see a man about a dog or to Snicarte to the turtle races...I never did get to go with him on one of these trips! -He believed being a responsible father and provider was his most important job in life -He would help you in any way he could -He wished he could have spoiled my brothers and sisters just as much as he did me My Dad: my biggest fan, no matter the venue or quality of my performance, my toughest defender, no matter the foe, the voice of discipline when I did wrong, the chauffeur who drove me all over the US to hit, catch or shoot a ball, who called me his "baby" even when I grew to tower over him, from whom I get my propensity to joke and tease, and who loved me so much he became a crusader for girl's sports and equality - I love you Dad and I will miss you every day! Thank you for loving me, the "surprise", unconditionally and for being a good and kind man.
