Daddy's Little Girl...

Dancing with Daddy Shoes

Today is my Daddy's 60th Birthday.

This last week and a half has been a whirlwind for my family.  Nerves on edge - delayed answers - has all of us kind of running in circles and on fumes emotionally.

But for now - time to reflect on my Daddy.

There are specific times in my childhood and life that stick out in my mind to this day - while most of it just seems a blur.

I remember my Dad taking my brother and I to school in a shopping cart - both of us sitting in the cart, my Dad would get to the top of the hill, jump up on the back of the cart and ride us down to the bottom barrelling towards the intersection and slamming his feet down on the ground just in time to stop us from being flattened by a passing car.  He used to scare the crap out of us!

I remember my Dad working on our family car outside in the parking lot at the apartments we were living in.  He would run the wire from his speakers outside and have his speakers sitting on the lawn - pumping out the sounds of classic rock while he worked and the kids were running around.

I remember my Dad on one of those afternoons working on his car - deciding to shave his head.  My Dad had reasonably long hair and a full beard.  Now, when I say full beard - I mean full beard.  My Mom was at work - and my Dad brought a chair outside and proceeded to shave his head "Bic" clean, as my brother and I watched with the other neighborhood kids.  My Dad did not have the prettiest bald head - in fact he had a fairly large size jelly-spot in the back of his which he let all of the kids touch.  So here was my Dad - head completely bald and full beard - it was quite the scene.  My Mom came home - she didn't speak to him for days.

I remember the happiness and joy that he felt with the births of his grandchildren (well, the first two were a little shocking - but happiness and joy were still there).  To this day he still loves spending time with them.

I remember him walking me down the aisle.  By the time my husband and I got married, our son was already 2 1/2 years old.  Our son had missed his nap and fell asleep in the car ride from my parents house to the church, so when he woke up he was not a happy camper.  My Dad walked me down the aisle - while carrying my son the ring bearer.  During the reception we danced our dance to Butterfly Kisses and neither of us could keep it together or look at one another without crying.  His speech had everyone there either crying or misty-eyed.

There are so many more memories that I could recollect - however this blog entry would go on and on and on.  What I can say about my Dad is how incredibly proud I am of him and how much I love and respect him.  I am thankful everyday that we journeyed down the correct path as a family.

I am sure there are many people who never thought my Dad would be turning 60 - probably including my Dad as well.  But he is 60.  I love my Dad with all of my heart and am blessed to still have him in my life and that my children have him in their lives.

Love you Daddy - Happy Birthday.

"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart"

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