It's Not Easy Being a Dad

There are many things that make The Dad who he is. The first thing most people notice when they have met both my dad and one of my uncles is that they look a lot a like. A lot. They are identical twins. And when I was a wee tot I used to get them confused. They had the same facial hair even!

The Dad is one of the hardest workers that I've ever met. When we were little The Dad and The Uncle both were laid off from the Mighty Railroad for six years. These two are industrius and had three small mouths to feed apiece. So what did they do? They formed a construction company that they kept for 19 years. Yes you read that right. Even after being called back to the railroad they continued to work two jobs, because you never know what might happen. They built their company from the ground up, literally. The Dad would leave early in the morning and not come home until dark, providing us with what we needed by serving other's needs.

Helping me move in to yet one more apartment...

His sense of humor is weird and wonderful and can have me rolling on the ground. He should have been an ad executive with the way he can create jingles and jigs. There was much singing and dancing around the dinner table growing up. I think it comes partly from who he simply is and his family growing up. They were a band of brothers with one lone baby sister. They used to set the grass on fire and then take turns seeing who could tamp out the largest section...using their bodies. They used to shoot at each other with BB guns. They used to fall into the creek "by accident" on hot summer days. They used to, and sometimes still do, eat weird things like pickled eggs and pigs feet or knuckles.

Enjoying a cigar and hamming it up for the camera

A few things that The Dad learned when he had kids:

• That he hadn't a clue how to support a baby's neck - The Mother of Us All has a photo to prove it and I think MIB's neck still hurts 34 years later. I'm just glad I was the second child.
• Thanksgiving is a day that is meant to be spent in the woods waiting for a doe to stroll by. Or just waiting until the madness in the kitchen has died down. Either way something had to die before he'd come back home.
• When The Mother of Us All and I both enjoy a show absolutely no talking during the air time will be tolerated. None. There will be much shushing and "Dad!" and "Bah bah bah" occurring if he considers joining our (allowed) conversation.
• That there is a huge sense of satisfaction and bonding that comes from rebuilding a car with one of his sons.
• That hockey can be fun to watch....especially when Lil' B is a goalie.

A few things that The Dad not only learned but embraced wholeheartedly for my sake:

• Gilmore Girls and their insanely fast talking and witty characters. Sometimes he'd have it turned on before I even made it through the door after my late afternoon/early evening class.
• UT football, with all the dandys, scruffles, and muffed punts. He'd call me and tell me that he had found a game on, even after I had moved out.
• When he answers the phone and I say "Daddy?", it will be one of three things: car, money or a boy. Incidentally, he doesn't seem to take it personally when I'm upset and the person I want to talk to is my mom. Mainly because I know he'll make me laugh and then I won't be able to mope a little.
• That I am not destined to drive anything larger than a GMC Jimmy, and it must be a standard if you don't want to worry about me dropping the transmission. Also, any truck requiring my assistance to unflood the carbeurator using a wrench alongside the road will be met with frustration and scorn...and possible a knocked over fence.

This is what happens when we don't get food fast enough at a party

But what is most important and says the most about The Dad is that he is a moving evolving rock. He is eager to change and grow as a man of God, a husband or a daddy. He is half of the heart of our family. He is an example of commitment, humility and a servant's heart.

I love you, Dad.  You the man.