Yesterday, June 9th, would have been my Dad's 89 birthday. Now I've mentioned my Father before on this blog and while some would say he was a hard nose kind of guy, I'd say he loved his family the best way he knew how. He had an uncanny resemblance to an actor named Forrest Tucker whom you may remember from several John Wayne movies or the TV show "F-Troop". Several times in my life I had been with my Dad where people would point, whisper and come right out and ask him who he was, and it always made for interesting moments. That's my dad on the left.
I guess this sort of thing runs in the family because I my older brother could pass for Bob Seger, and while I don't see it, I have had 6 different people tell me in my life I resemble Sam Elliot, go figure.
My Dad passed away in 1993 but there isn't a day that goes by when I don't talk to him. I've heard his words echo in my mind every time the situation applies but it sure doesn't replace the real deal, ya know? Much in my life has changed in the 16 years since I was last able to speak face to face with my Dad, a divorce, a career change, a granddaughter, a few life events, some changes in health, several new loves and several loves lost. Now this may be TMI for some but I wish, somehow, I could communicate with him one more time. If I could it would probably go something like this:
Hey Pop,
It's been along time and I sure miss you, Mom, Bobbie and Skip. Since today is your birthday I thought I'd bring you up to speed on my life.
I want you to know yes, the leaf finally turned over, and I do sometime think with my head but I still think with my heart a lot also. I'm still a soft touch and will be until we meet again. I'm lucky though because most that I hold near and dear don't abuse that fact too often. You were right we can't buy back time although now I understand why I wish I could.
When faced with the choice I've always tried to do the right thing versus the easy thing. I take pride in what I do even when it doesn't turn out as I hoped. You remember how you told me I was going to be your millionaire son...well that didn't work out quite as planned but the lessons you've taught me and how I've been able to apply them in my life make me feel rich sometimes.
You know I have a way of making poor choices at times but you'll be happy to know they don't happen nearly as often anymore. You were right, regrets hurt so I've tried to keep them to a minimum. I've also learned to make good choices along the way. I have found life to be very rewarding if I can help others as I move from frame to frame. It's good to be needed.
I have a beautiful little granddaughter now. She's Chrissie's and Mike's daughter. They named her Natalie Grace. I keep trying to find a way to get out to see her but so far I've failed. You would have been there by now but it's different when you're single, and the job is shaky.
Things have been a little bleak lately and in some ways I know it would crush you and Skip if you were here to see this. GM has gone bankrupt and all of that stock you both accumulated over the years is worthless. We have a different way of doing things today and they are nothing like you saw in your lifetime. Needless to say times are tough and many are hurting but you know me I always land on my feet so I'm doing better than most.
I still have my real estate license and my home inspection company. The real estate is about dormant but the home inspection business still provides some income. I left the industry full time back in 2001 and have worked for the government. I build and manage construction projects in the field. You should see some of the things I've built, you'd be impressed. I've built three runways, a couple of taxiways, several hangers, reconstructed a multi-level parking facility, helped build a terminal, a water system, a training facility for police, fire and fams, and I've done several projects for the FAA. I'm good at what I do thanks to much of what you taught me growing up, and I thank you for that.
You'll be happy to know Brad and I are a lot closer now that it's just him and me. The way we fought growing up who would have thought it. In fact I was over at his place for a couple of weekends helping him tile the new bathroom he built. Oh, and tell Skip my bedroom ceiling is still up there 18 years later.
Your grandkids would make you proud although they are spread all over. Brighton, Traverse City, Lima, Lawrence, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Orlando, New Haven, Raleigh, and Boston. Tell Ma she now has 5 great grand children and 4 great great grandchildren.
I sold the Harley, damn, that's right you didn't know I bought that one did you? Well I knew you'd be on my back about it if you were here, but I sold it because it was a shame to waste it. I had neither the time to ride nor a partner to ride with, so I let it go although I'll probably pick up another here next year if things work out.
I did start golfing again. It didn't help to take 10 years off. I shot a 122 the other days and that was after coming out with a birdie, bogie, bogie, pretty bad, huh? You'd never tell you almost sent me to Q-school when I was 19. Silly me I chose to get married instead.
Brad is doing good. He turned 60 this year, you know. He is loving being a Grandpa. His job seems to be doing ok too so that's a good thing.
Pop, do you remember how you used to call me every Saturday when I was at work? I remember thinking how since you had retired you lost all track of things. That you couldn't figure out that if I was working on a Saturday it was probably because I had too, and I probably didn't have an hour to sit and chat. Damn I miss those calls.....
Well I should probably let you get back to your day. I just wanted you to know, that I miss you, and that I am so thankful for the lessons you passed on to me. I'll keep trying to make you proud and I hope I succeed. I'll also keep working on the golf game. Promise! Happy Birthday!!
Love you Pop!
Bye
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