My father taught me everything I know. From working on plumbing to shaving my legs. He brought football into my life, taught me sports, and made me a wooden pump action shotgun. FYI: We modified this gun shortly after by adding a clip. Gosh knows, you need clips when you're shooting zombies. The point is he tried to make everything fun, even when we didn't have the money to hit up Six Flags or Disneyland. He support us rocking out to Classic Rock music, Van Halen especially, and pretending to play guitar and drums with whatever he could grab. This is a man who took plenty of shots to the family jewels as he taught me how to play catch.
No... really, my father did a lot for me.
The sad part was that he got saddled with a daughter being his first born. I know he really wanted a little boy because he's a boy at heart. He could have ignored me, but instead he took it upon himself to make me just as good as the little boys. I can talk football, hunting, a little guns and ammo, and I don't seize up at the sight of dead things. Yes, that's right! Perfectly comfortable with eatin' Bambi for supper. Heck, I'll help you field dress 'im; even though I've never actually done it before...just watched.
This father of mine did everything for his family. He slaved in dry cleaners, worked night jobs, took on 2 jobs when required, and relentlessly worked to rebuild our home (built in the 1960s) over my childhood. He is now back to his original job working for the Air Force and protecting our country!
Today is the day to honor father, as he has been a huge influence in my life. Thank you, I say, for telling me from the time I was 6 years-old that I can be anything I want to be and do anything I want to do. Without these him I don't know where I would be or what I would have become.
Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance- Ruth E. Henkel
I bet he's as proud of you as you are of him!
ReplyDeleteIs it sad that it took me so long to figure out the swimming reference. I'll use the fact that he used to be a life guard and hide behind that instead of the embarrassing truth that I'm a little slow on the "in the window."
ReplyDeleteNow the poor guy has another daughter, still works 2 jobs and lives in an old beat up house made in the 30's.