Thank you for not giving up on me or giving me away during the "ugly" times I put you through. You are a trooper! I didn't necessarily make life blissful for you. Sorry. I hope that those times are blurry memories that you can't recall (and don't make any attempt to).
I have been pondering and really thinking about you, not only as my dad, but as a human being. Words can not describe the man that you are. Really dad you are perfect in my eyes.
Here are just a few qualities that I love about you:
You are honest
You are sincere
You are genuine
You are funny
You are thoughtful
You are brave
You are intelligent
You are handsome
You are unworldly
You are patient
You are selfless
You are giving
You are spiritual
You are awesome and much more.
Here are some memories that I have about you and that I will always hold in my heart:
I remember the times that I dragged you over to Peruvian Park Elementary School to play basketball. They didn't even have nets and worse, it seems I always chose to go in November in the cold weather. I couldn't get the ball to the hoop as I was young and weak, but you always encouraged me no matter how boring it was for you. You never once turned me down, no matter how busy or tired you were.
I remember all the times I interrupted your newspaper reading in the front room and nagged you to throw a ball across to each other. And you always set that paper down no matter where in the article you were, you just played until I was done.
I remember you leaving the warm cozy home every morning and working extra late hours during tax season to make sure we had what we needed. After all, none of your work was for you. I know it was all for your family. Need I say more?
I remember how elated I was to see your car pulling into the drive every evening. I would run out to you and you not once shoved me aside, rather you pulled me in and reciprocated the hug that I loved to give. And you always offered a hug before picking up your briefcase with those important documents so that you could use both arms to hold me.
I remember having those arm wrestles with you and you would always let me win, even left handed.
I remember every time I asked you to throw the baseball in the backyard, you would drop what you were doing and give me that undivided attention that I so longed for.
I remember all the times of chess playing...you are just too good at that darn game, but you always let me take back my stupid moves and give me that second, third and fourth chance at beating you. You would always say, "Are you sure you want to go there?" Giving the perfect hint that my move was NOT the best move and that I should consider another tactic.
I remember riding our bikes down to Dan's and buying ice cream cones for 10 cents and eating it right outside the store, in no hurry, nowhere to be. Your time meant more to me than the ice cream itself.
I remember trying to get you to do my math homework and you wisely gave me support and help, but made me figure it out on my own.
I remember dragging you out front to play "around the world" and once again you let me win, but challenged me just enough to help me get better at shooting the ball.
I remember begging to go with you down to Allied or Ernst when you needed yard supplies. You always let me go no matter how much you wanted to be alone and I always talked your ear off (like I am now), but you had the patience to get to the store and back home without duct taping my mouth shut.
I remember star gazing with you out on the trampoline many times. We just laid in our sleeping bags and talked about many things. You always had the answers for me about life and death and heaven and if you didn't, you somehow got me to figure it out myself.
I remember how good it made me feel seeing you sitting in the bleachers at each and every one of my high school basketball games. I tried my hardest to play as good as you. I wanted to be just like you. I wanted you to be proud of me. Just seeing you cheer while I tried my best meant the world to me.
I remember the time @ Nine mile canyon when you killed the rattlesnake that Lisa almost stepped on. I loved that you were so brave even though you might have been scared inside, you never showed it.
I remember you always read my favorite book, "THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED". You did it with such vividness and enthusiasm and I'd giggle the whole way through and no matter how old the book became to you, you'd read it because you knew I enjoyed it.
I remember visiting grandma and grandpa Bird's graves and wishing deep down that they were still here for you and that I knew them better. I loved watching the strategic way you could catch the lizards that were hiding in the sagebrush and marveling at how good you were at it.
I remember visiting grandma Bird in the rest home when she wasn't well. I was always amazed at how very strong you were. You never questioned whether or not you would see her again for you knew you would. You just let life take it's course no matter how devastated you were. I remember feeling your pain even as a young child. I watched you and you held strong in that very moment that we all dread.
I remember all the times that I could get you to laugh (which I love to do) and by you laughing, my heart was overjoyed and I laughed right along with you.
Those are just a few of the many memories that I relish. I know that if I could recall my younger years (birth to about 4 or 5), or if I just kept typing I could fill pages and pages with the memories that you gave me. I thank you for that. All of this dad, is why I love you. You are my foundation, my hero, my friend, my example, my dad. I love you. I always have and always will. I love your personality and I strive daily to be just like you. You are the person I want to be like. You are that person here on Earth that I think of when I am having a hard time coping. I am thankful for you and I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for you.
Thank you for all you have done to show me the way to happiness through your example simply by being you.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Maryann
