I got my blue eyes and cleft chin from my dad. Things haven’t always been good between us, but I love him more than he probably realizes because I’m terrible at showing it (and telling it).
So today, Father’s Day, I share some of my favorite memories of my dad.
Tickle Monster- Our couch was basically brown with cream, orange, and more brown and to this day I still am unsure of the composition of the coffee table. Dad sat on the end of the couch, waiting to catch and tickle us as we ran around the table. At 28, I am trying to call on the five year old I was then. She remembers what she can and that is enough. Laughter, fun, and Daddy.
Fishing-These days 5am is not an uncommon time to wake, but when you’re just a little girl, 5am is like a different world. Up early, Dad packed me in the truck (I am guessing truck because that’s what he drove- it was a yellow Toyota) with my Barbies and we headed to the river to do some fishing. I think I remember the drive- sunshine and old country music, but that could have been a different drive. We met one of my dad’s friends and his little girl and settled on the shady river bank- the girls on some sort of ground covering with their dollies, and the men with their fishing poles. I think they set up poles for us because I remember catching a fish- either that, or Dad let me hold his fishing pole. Dad liked to fish. There are a few pictures in our family album of fish freshly caught and ready to be made into dinner. Maybe they were our fish.
Chiclets and Army Recruiting- My brother was active in Cub Scouts when we lived in Oregon and my mom was his den mother (I recall some Red Light, Green Light and Red Rover under our carport- oh, and pudding pops.) One particular day, they had an activity to attend which resulted in me going to work with my dad. I won’t lie, it was dreadfully boring for a little girl to sit in an Army recruiting office. That is the first time I remember seeing Chiclets (they had a machine), pink, green, small, and sweet! I was jealous of my brother at the time because he came home with a wooden badge, but I got to spend the day at the office with Dad.
Katie and Dad at Oma's for Christmas
Its articles like these that keep me coming back for more of your blog. Personal and touching, and something that we all can relate to. Thanks for sharing these on Father’s Day with the rest of us.
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