It’s sort of an unspoken rule in my family that when you recall stories about my dad, you’re going to end up in tears of laughter.
There was the bungee cord tied on one end to the smashed hood of a Chevy Malibu and the other end tied to the telephone pole in front of the house I grew up in. Kick that car into reverse and you’ve got a hood as flat as a pancake. Obviously.
There are the photos he blows up and laminates into thick and sturdy place mats. Because who doesn’t want to sip morning tea over their 11×14″ face covered in 1/4″ of melted plastic?
There is the unavoidable trip to the restaurant kitchen to talk to the chef in charge at every eatery I can remember visiting with him.
And there’s so, SO much more. But you will never catch me doing any of these things. Ever. And even though I know that, what I’m realizing more and more every day is that I am just like my dad. I have his stubbornness, his habit of talking with his hands when he really means something and his inability to accept no for an answer. And so, SO much more.
For my dad’s 60th birthday – 59th according to him – my family spent some time celebrating at my sister’s home in Arizona. For this milestone birthday, he decided he wanted to hike with Eric and I up Camelback Mountain. This was my very first hike with my dad and I’ll definitely never forget it.
Thanks, Dad, for sharing this hike with us, for all of the stories you’ve given us through the years and for so, SO much more. Love you!
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