Thank you, Dad

Thank you Dad for teaching me to fish, and making me learn to put both minnows and worms on my own hook, even though you never made me have to take off the fish I caught. Your amusement and delight over each fish I caught made the trips to Tunnel or to Fellows Lake or to the Hamilton pond a joy. I'm sorry you had to set your own rig down so often to accomodate me. Thank you also for just cutting the line when I caught a snapping turtle that time. Some things just don't need to be dealt with.

Thank you Dad for teaching me how to check the oil in my car...a task I find useful still.

Thank you Dad for making me mow the lawn. I actually enjoyed it, and learned to "drive" whipping the Snapper riding mower around the back yard of our house.

Thank you Dad for making me learn to drive a standard transmission...and for just showing me once how to do it, then insisting I go out on my own to get the hang of it. As embarassed as I was to be jolting around town in leaps and spurts, I soon learned it, and again, it is a knowledge I still find useful.

Thank you Dad for "eating" the green tomato and sawdust pies I made you on those afternoons and evenings I played in the shop while you did woodworking.

Thank you Dad for making the best pancakes and homemade ice cream I've ever had.

Thank you Dad for reading aloud the nonsensical typewritten notes I would leave on your plate at lunch when I was very little. I can still remember your attempts to pronounce the words I had punched out on that old manual typewriter, just because I loved the sound of the keys slapping the paper.

Thank you Dad for making me a Cardinals fan...even though they are terrible this year.

Thank you Dad for driving me to school instead of making me ride the bus once I told you how awful the bus was. I still remember cold, frosty mornings riding in the Catalina down Route 66, with KTTS on the radio, and your hardhat in the backseat with the Willy the Wirehand logo on it.

Thank you Dad for buying me a box of my favorite Russell Stover chocolates for Valentines Day when I was in high school and boyfriend-less. I still remember how that made me feel loved and much better.

Thank you Dad for getting me through algebra, although I must have sorely tested your patience. I made a good solid "B" and I know you were as proud of that as I was, although you must have seriously wondered if I had ANY of your genetic material in me based on how hard I struggled with it.

Thank you Dad for playing symponies on your stereo. And for playing my John Denver records too.

Thank you Dad, for being the father that you were.