Homeward Bound

Late in January I took a trip to my folk's home to visit my dad for his 80th birthday. He was so surprised when I pulled up in his driveway in a rental car, sporting my new silver locks and not expecting me, that he asked, "may I help you" ... as I got near to where he stood in the garage. Most likely he thought I was a friend of my mom's. It wasn't until he took off his glasses and I said 'surprise' that he started getting emo on me. Pop's bottom lip quivers when he's lost for words. You can still see the look of surprise on his face in the first photo. This was on a Wednesday. He would often ask if my brothers knew I had flown in ... but I kept putting him off by telling him they were too busy to come up so last minute. But on Saturday (1/31) both of my brothers and a sister-in-law showed up. Pop was again speechless. Not long after they arrived the doorbell rang. I told Pop I knew of no other surprises ... but there at the door stood his grandson, Jon, whom he had not seen in five or six years. His visit was a surprise to Pop, Mom, and myself. The last time my brothers, parents and I have visited together was five years ago when Pop turned 75. That night we had a very nice family style meal at a Basque restaurant and came home for cake and home made ice cream. On Superbowl Sunday, I had to return to my home but took with me many great memories. (click on photos to enlarge)

The Quiet Man

My Pop has always been a quiet man. Behind the scenes, taking care of business, not needing recognition, but always the humble servant of the Lord. He's a man of few words, and doesn't expect a thing in return for his deeds. At home, he's the inspiration behind my 'can do' spirit of getting a job done. This he has passed along to his children, without a formal, sit-down lesson on how to do a job. He teaches by his gentle manner, yet always with a wrench or hammer at hand. Willing to lend a hand to neighbor, friend, church, or stranger. A former Marine, nearly eighty years of age, yet still buff in muscle, and sharp of mind. A man of few words ... and those words he chooses to let loose are apt words of meaning. I have teased him over the years about his show of emotion. For him, this appears as a little tremble of his bottom lip. Not often displayed, but an uncontrolled response connected to his heart strings. I'm sure he displayed a little quiver on Friday night as he was honored Person Of The Year at his church. He would rather not receive the praise of man and be put in the spot light, but Pop ... it's OK to accept this recognition for a job well done. Thanks for being all you are to your family and community. You are loved.

My Father's "Almanac"

For the past 22 or so years, since my father built his "new" home and retired, he has been preserving daily facts on 22 years worth of wall calendars ... yes, that's a new one added faithfully to his collection each year. If you need to know what the weather was like say 19 years ago on July 5th, all he would have to do is find that calendar still hanging on his garage wall. You see, each calendar is in chronological hanging order ... and each month, he routinely flips them all up to the "current" month. Things of interest to him that he notes are:

• daily high/low temps
• rain gauge amounts
• how many fish he caught
• when he purchased his fishing license & cost
  
• visits from his children
• date he ordered firewood, cost, and how much
• date he fired up the wood stove for the season
• date he put out the wood stove in the spring
• trips to the doctor for his "baby" (my mom)
• date he puts up his 15 or so hummingbird feeders
• vacation start/end dates
• gardening facts/seed types
• golf tee times + scores
  

You get the picture. I think it's time to carry on this time honored tradition with our first wall calendar in our new garage. Maybe I'll even use my "better" penmanship so the grand kids can read grandma's writing in years to come.

My Earthly Father

My dad is my hero. When I was eleven years old, he married my mother taking on the responsibility of raising my brothers and me ... a guy that never before had children ... instantly becomes the father of three half grown children. No longer is the word "step" included in his title. Just dad, pop or papa will do. Thanks Dad for stepping up to the plate and making us your own. People often wonder where I get my "handyman" skills ... I always watched you tinker in the garage taking things apart, making something old run like new again. You were a good teacher and didn't even know it. I hope you have a great Father's Day today. Missing you much in Idaho. Love, your little daughter. Hugs & Kisses

Photo: Mom, Dad, yours truly