For Daddy

Today I raise my glass to Daddy.

It was 16 years ago today that I lost the greatest man I ever knew.

eh, some years it’s easier than others…I’m doing alright.  I know that the reason I’ve been so sensitive this week to reading others’ opinion about how others should or shouldn’t mourn death or grieve tragic events, with discussions from open caskets to network news coverage, is because of September 17th.  This is isn’t the easiest time of year for me, and then being so hellaciously sick on top of it…eh…well, you get the picture.

Anyway, today instead of being sad, I choose to celebrate the man who helped me become the person I am today by re-posting this list of wonderful memories about Daddy.

Some of the things about Daddy that are my best and funniest memories…
1) His laugh.
2) His sideburns.
3) His worn out boxer shorts.
4) His love of Budweiser.
5) How all he had to do was look at me and I knew I’d better do what he said!
6) His garage dogs, Harley, Honda, and Shithead.
7) Riding his 3-wheelers across the street by the canal.
8 ) His fake binoculars to carry booze in to the Dolphins games.
9) Taking me to the Bee Gees concert in 1979 and watching as all of us teeny boppers went nuts, then dragging him to the premier of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (poor guy!)
10) Singing to the tune of Old Rugged Cross: “On a hill far away, stood an old Chevrolet, all covered with rust and decay.”
11) Reading the paper in his easy chair and falling asleep while still holding the paper in front of him.
12) Eating a half gallon (yes, the entire box) of ice cream. He liked Rum Raisin from Farm Store.
13) Taking us on a trip around all of the Florida tourist attractions. Disney World…
14) Taking me to college.
15) Buying me my first car…the white 1976 Camaro.
16) Cookouts at Crandon Park Beach.
17) Cookouts in our backyard brick barbecue pit.
18) Smoky, the black Chow
19) Going to his 30 year class reunion and wondering who all the old people were when he got there.
20) Dragging him to Olan Mills after my college graduation for the only family picture we ever had taken.
21) Al’s Auto Service. The apartment behind the garage. The railroad tracks behind the garage.
22) His friends, Uncle Dee, Tommy, Buddy Ryan, Billy Barnwell, Charlie…
23) His auto parts calendars. (Mechanics will know what I’m talking about.)
24) Taking me to the airport to go back to school/Nashville.
25) Kissing me bye at the airport.
26) Going out to eat every Friday night, without fail.
27) Pro wrestling at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
28) Bowling leagues.
29) Daytona in the infield.
30) His voice. His face. His hugs.

I am so thankful for those memories.  They are what carry me through these days!