PAPA

I’ve been thinking about you all day and feel so lucky to be your son.

You are the best because you are such a good example-unlike some other gals out there, I want to be like you are in so many ways. I remember you always multitasking, whether it was perching a mixing bowl of Wheaties on your knee while you were driving us around or flossing your teeth or doing pushups while we watched a movie, you’re always accomplishing. I love this about you and wish I were more like it. I remember you up before anyone else, often reading a book or in more recent times the world wide web. I am always baffled by how you retain so much information, conversation with you is the best because I learn a lot.

I admire your work ethic so much dad, I don’t know anyone who works as hard as you and it inspires me to do better myself. It’s funny to get to know other people and their families and you start to see how singular you are. Not many people have such a hardworking, loving, and with-it dad. And you work hard in every aspect of your life, from your professional work to your fitness to your kids.

I’m so glad I’ve always been able to talk to you about things. Growing up I was able to talk with you about difficult things and always knew I could trust and come to you when I was having a hard time. You’ve always been good at carving out individual time playing foosball or catch when we were little, or running, or trips together, and that meant a lot to me.

I have so often been the recipient of your extreme generosity. From a pragmatic level, you always provided so well for our whole family-now that I have a “real job” and have to buy my own milk I realize what a thankless position that is for you-growing up I never even considered how much a box of Wheaties cost, or the lights in the house or all these little things, and you provided them freely for 10 people! But beyond needs, you are so generous in giving us fun experiences or trips. I have so many memories running with you around Medicine Lake, or hiking in Switzerland or Peru or Africa with you. You’ve exposed me to so many different places and experiences and I love those nice memories.

I had such a good time with you in Yosemite a couple months ago-you are crazy generous to just ship me out there and play travel agent and listen to Shirley Q with me and hike around and laugh at the funny signs and other tourists. I love traveling with you.

And most of all, you are just fun-I love when we sit around the table at night and rehash Vicki, or Shannon (both) or tiffany, or exercise contest stories. You are so quick and witty and I like how we can always laugh together at a funny character, even if it drives Rose a bit batty.

I am glad that as we get older I only feel closer to you. At Grandpa’s funeral the saying “family is everything” kept coming up. I am so glad you feel that way and embody it. Thank you for calling me all the time to check up and chat, and for all the fun trips-the NBA road trip, Thanksgiving in Utah, and our upcoming Von Trapp extravaganza.

I love you dad, I am so proud to be your son and don’t tell you enough how much I respect and think of you. Y’all tell yo fathas I said happy fatha’s day.