Happy Father's Day, Dad!

This is my dad with Sophie, she was just a puppy then.



This is my dad with Elise when we were on our cruise in April.


Today is a day of mixed emotions. I feel so blessed by the dad that I have. However, my heart is heavy with sadness because I can't be there on Father's Day with him.

When I think back on my life growing up and even as an adult child my dad is such a part of who I am and what I believe. When I was growing up my dad worked hard and was not at home a lot of the time. He was usually at work. I don't remember a time when he went hunting, or just out with the guys. Although I know there were times that he did.

He was always around, but was hard for me to find sometimes. Now granted we did not always see eye to eye, especailly in my rebellious years. We did fight a lot but he is still the one I seek approval from.

My dad had his first heart attack in 1992, I think, It was at that time that the man I called my dad I barely knew. I was not going to let him pass without getting to know him. So I set out to get to know him. At first just observing who he was. I always thought my dad was lots of fun. He never met a stranger. He might not remember names very well but he was always friendly to everyone. Even today, he will scold me if I do not thank a waitor or waitress when they bring anything to the table.

He loved or should I say he loves the water, mostly lakes, but oceans are ok with him too. He was in the Navy and I am not sure if that is where he got the love from or not. He served in the Navy on submarines. He retrieved torpedos from the ocean. So he was a certified scuba diver, for a while. I never knew he dove until I was an adult and he would tell stories about his time in the Navy. Because of his love for the water, we always a boats of some sort....little johnboats, runabouts, cruiser, and even a houseboat. It is these times on the lake that hit me in my heart. We had lots of fun. But it never failed that when we went to the lake my mom and dad always had it out. That was not the times I like to remember. And yes I, would either end up in the emergency room or urgent care center. Dad used to tease me saying that I liked to check out everybody's health care facilities.

Back to the reason for the Blog. I want those of you who read my blog and have a dad close by you to visit on Father's Day to be very appreciative. My dad is far away and I could not make it home to him this year but you can bet your sweet beppy I will make it home next year.

Love Ya Pops!!!!!! See you soon.