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Father's Day

    Father's Day is this weekend. I've written about my mom before but not about my dad so much.
    It hurts me now just to type the words Father's Day I miss him so much.
    My dad was tough. Strong. Like punch someone in the mouth and they bleed strong.
    I can barely type this I love him so much.
    He was handsome. He had a really nice face. That 1950s look of a dip in the hairdo.
    There are times in life when you will meet someone who just gets you.
    It can happen when you're a check out person at a grocery store. Or if you're salad prep on the line at a restaurant. Or if you're a college student. Or if you qualify for a senior discount. Someone will look at you right in the eye and they will understand you.
    This was me and my dad. And I say "was" reluctantly. I wish I had nice illustrations about just how beautiful we were, my dad and me.
    I wish I could describe him to you like he was superman. He seems so small when I reduce him to letters on a keyboard.
    It feels so vague. Like I can't give anyone a clear idea of who he was.
    Really, the goodness and depth of him is something I hold close to my chest. Maybe my siblings know. I think my mom knew.
    He supported me. He wanted me to do my best. He didn't want me to be scared. He wanted me to be myself. My dad in so many ways, is me.
    That 's why he's so hard for me to write about. It's all too close.
    How do you describe someone who showed you how to live? How to be in this world?
    I'm sure he doesn't look like this to everyone. But to me, there's nothing else.

Comments

Anonymous said…
" He supported me. He wanted me to do my best. He didn't want me to be scared. He wanted me to be myself." A definition of a great father. You were blessed and I am grateful to him for it as well. You have blessed so many others as a result.
June 15, 2014 at 3:35 AM
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