Happy Father's Day

My dad used to call me every Sunday like clock work. Our conversations weren't anything worthy of notation. It usually involved "Be nice to your sisters. They are the only ones you have." Even though I was 90% sure that I was adopted.

Maybe I wasn't "sure" but I was certainly hopeful.

He's been gone 8 1/2 years now. I don't remember what I got him for Father's Day or what gifts were exchanged for Christmas or birthdays. What I remember are the small things we did during the summer I spent with him. We drove to Gulfport and Biloxi. JoAnn & I waded knee deep into the Gulf and screamed when I almost stepped on a jellyfish. They were everywhere, hundreds of small, nearly invisible jellyfish.

My scream drove everyone out of the water. Some people went back in. We stayed out and bought lunch. Dad kept throwing french fries over my head so that the sea gulls would swoop over me. JoAnn one upped him and put some in my hair.

My family is full of comedians.

We didn't spend a whole lot of money that trip. We didn't make it to Disney World or Sea World. However, we stopped at an ocean refuge and played catch with a group of dolphins.

Another man that meant the world to me was my Grandpa. Growing up, I thought he was superhuman. He never, ever seemed vulnerable to me.

His birthday was last Friday. He didn't like it when people made a fuss over him. "Oh, dear. You didn't have to do that!" But he was always doing something kind for someone else.

He collected garden gnomes and used to blame everything on them. They were always moving remotes, taking his glasses and misplacing shoes. He spent days building a gnome village in his front yard and swore they came alive at night.

I miss them both tremendously. Especially on days like today. If they were alive, I would thank them for sacrificing for our family. For being there for me even when I wasn't there for them. For being patient and not giving up. For their unconditional love.

"Grandpa, I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Yes. But, I love you more."
He would look at me with those beautiful blue eyes. "How could you? It's not possible."

Yeah, I know.

Happy Father's Day.