Things I learned from my Dad

I've blogged quite a bit about my Dad. Loyal readers know that I've only had a relationship with my dad for 5 years or less. We didn't know each other until then. We had seen one another, at my mom's funeral, I stayed with him for a week around the time of my brother's graduation, etc. But we didn't KNOW one another. Then one Father's Day, a few years ago, I called him.

We got to know one another slowly, and last summer, I took my family there for vacation. Then I went on a solo trip to see him some months later. I took the above photo in his yard during that trip. The leaf looked like a heart to me. Dad and I had a few occasions to do some photography together. And if I was going to miss a spectacular sunrise, he'd wake me. Sunrises and sunsets are his thing, mostly because he can photo them from his porch.

I learned to fully appreciate the beauty in nature from Dad. I learned to make sure I notice the gorgeous sunset every morning. I learned that odds don't matter, you just keep on keeping on. And I have learned that laughter is such an important part of life. Dad always has a joke. They are generally very off color, but always funny.

Dad is in the hospital again and he seems to be in good spirits. I only worry about what he's not telling me. But he has jokes. He sent me a cell phone picture of a sunrise yesterday. He has love, and he has wisdom. My dad is my hero. The day will come when he is not physically here anymore (not anytime soon, I hope), but I will always cherish each and every moment we've had. Dad... thank you so much for all that you are!