Inherited from You

We all think about our fathers on Father’s Day. Who can avoid the media bombardment? But I have a constant reminder of my Father, even though he’s been gone for 6 years, and that reminder is --myself. Yes, I’m so like my dad that the little things I do throughout the day is a constant reminder that the “Nut Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree”. I purposely use the word nut, for it accurately describes my dad! He was the funniest man I knew. His quick wit made me laugh, my friends and all that knew him. And even more importantly, his humor covered a multitude of sins, but that is a subject for another Blog.

Even the last day I saw him on this earth, humor did not escape him. As he lay there in the hospital bed, dying from Kidney Cancer, I called my oldest son, his favorite grandchild. My son talked to him on the phone knowing it might be his last conversation with his grandpa. After I hung up the phone for my dad, I apologized for my son that he wouldn’t be able to visit his grandpa. My dad said matter-of-factly, “Oh, that’s alright, I won’t remember it”. At his funeral on April 21, 2005, I wrote an account of the characteristics that we have in common and read it to honor him.

Inherited from you dad…

-When I find myself unable to pass a clearance rack and shop at a consignment store, …I’ll think about my dad

-When I reuse a paper towel…I’ll think about my dad

-When I hunt 5 minutes for a used golf ball…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I worry too much…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I tell a story, giving every detail of the event so you can see, smell and relive the event…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I manage to repair a broken item by using ordinary items I happen to find around the house…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I tell a story and am tempted to add a few extra details that maybe didn’t quite happen that way…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I rather watch the Kings, Raiders, or 49ers than talk to friends on the phone…I’ll think about my dad.

-If my friends tell me I’m really funny and I make them laugh  …I’ll think about my dad.

-When I think first about a glass being “half empty” instead of “half full”…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I think about my enjoyment of playing a musical instrument…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I think about how much I love to dance…I’ll think about my dad.

-When I read the Bible and am convinced that every Word of it is true…I’ll think about my dad.

-When the beauty of a rose overwhelms me…I’ll think about my dad.

-And when I think about heaven, a place where there is no sorrow, pain or suffering…I’ll think about my dad