For my dad on Father’s Day

2. While Mom was the one who initially taught us kids to drive on the dirt roads of Mountain View Acres, you were the one who rode with me on real streets after I got my permit. I recall the day I was driving to school on Apple Valley Road and looked away from the road for something (adjusting the radio, perhaps?). I drifted out of my lane and was startled when my eyes returned to the road. You remained calm and never said a word. 

3. You also taught all of us kids how to drive the boat on our trips to the Colorado River. 

4. Whenever Mom and I would head to the mall in San Bernardino you’d hand me a $20 bill to spend on whatever I wanted. I always understood that this was an affectionate gesture from someone for whom hugs didn’t come naturally.

5. I remember those Saturday mornings when, out of the blue, you’d say, “Let’s go to Disneyland.” We’d scrounge up all the leftover tickets from previous visits (back in the days when you had to have a ticket for each attraction) but you’d still end up buying more because all the good ones had already been used. 

6. Even though you didn’t always get to stay with us for the whole trip, you took us on family vacations every year. It couldn’t have been much fun for you since you always had to bring a lot of paperwork along but the gift of travel during my childhood is something I treasure. 

7. You’ve always treated David like one of your own. You gave him a job and helped him buy his first car. Before he got his license you would “just happen” to be driving by every afternoon as he was walking home from school, pick him up, get him something to eat and drive him to work. 

8. You were always a hard worker and by your example taught all three of us a good work ethic. 

9. You drove me to school throughout junior high, sparing me those awful morning bus rides. You also took me to school during my first year of high school before I had a license. I’ll never forget the week that, for whatever reason, you dropped me off from a different vehicle every day, prompting a lot of curiosity from friends. I think they liked the Corvette best. 

10. I think one of my favorite stories about you was the time you had to go pick up some men at the airport (something to do with your business) and Mom had washed the Lincoln for you. When it came time to leave you went and got in our station wagon instead because, as you said, “it has more room”. No matter how successful a business man you were, the very notion of trying to impress someone never crossed your mind. 

11. You’ve always made me feel safe and protected. I’m a light sleeper and tend to sleep with “one ear open”. Once, when the kids were little, we spent the night with you and Mom on Christmas Eve. I slept like a rock and that’s when it dawned on me that I had always subconsciously known that you would take care of us. 

12. You tried to help me learn my times tables. I wish I could say you were completely successful in this but it wasn’t for lack of effort on your part. 

13. When someone was trying to “break in” to our mobile home late one night, you got out of bed, loaded the shotgun and flew across the pasture in the old Datsun pickup. Turns out it was only a stray dog scratching and thumping against the door but you didn’t know that when you were coming to our rescue.

14. You’re a wonderful “Papa” to my children. When Chris was an antsy little kid you would often take him for walks outside. One of my favorite “Chris-isms” was the time he said to you, “Papa, let’s go outside and listen to the heartbeat of America.” Lisa still remembers you rubbing her feet and says you’re the only one who could do that without it tickling. 

15. As I said about Mom, I know that I can call you anytime for any reason and you’ll be there for me. That’s something I truly appreciate. 

Thank you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day! I love you.