Not bad for an old guy.

Dad,

In high school when you sang stupid songs and made me pancakes at 5am? I loved it. Loved it then and love it now. Sometimes you came in my room and interrogated me. In a nice way. I knew that you cared. Time went so slowly back then.

There was a volkswagen bus that we used as a tent while camping in the forest. There was a California coastal bay that you took us canoeing in before school one morning. There was your easy laughter, your willingness to cook and your skepticism.

I loved your innate ability to take orders from mom leaning its back against your sly tendency to quietly rebel against anyone else that tried to tell you what to do.

You never stop moving and doing and whistling and joking. You are the reason I cannot teach anything or anyone without an object lesson.

The love that you gave me dipped and pooled, and is now poured forth directly to my own daughters.

Some memories of growing up with you are sharp, but most are fuzzy. I'm sure yours are much sharper and that's the gift you get as a parent I guess. My best ones are the trip you took me and my best friend on when I graduated from high school. I learned so much during our 225 miles together, and at such a pivotal time in my life. Thank you for everything.

Happy Birthday.

Here are a few excerpts from your replies to my blog posts that make my day:

"what could be better than a toilet and a newspaper? better than a religious retreat..."

"that kid's got Jake written all over her face..."

"sobering to realize that it's the daily stuff that imprints character, personality, and a love for life and family."

"another cool part of raising girls is when they are raising girls...

"awesome, Sarah, life is for those who love - you are a lucky valentine..... Dad."