Pops

How cool would it be if my dad kept a blog since my siblings and I were born? Granted, there was no internet back then, but humor me for a minute. My dad’s a writer and a funny guy, more funny than we give him credit for. He gave a toast at our wedding and he absolutely killed. So how cool would it be if I could read Dad’s blog? That’s why I’m doing this. I love the idea that one day Ryan will be older and be able to read all these posts, and not only laugh at all the stories about him but get a feel for what his parents were like when he was growing up. (I should mention that my mom’s kept a family journal since my oldest sib was born. I’m looking forward to reading it and sharing some of her stories.)

My dad is the king of Zen. I get my calm disposition from him. I’ve never seen him panic and very rarely seen him angry. His idea of profanity would still be rated PG. He’s very wise but imparts his wisdom by teaching by example. He doesn’t expound but perfected the art of saying just enough.

He had a period where he was a horrible dresser. The man wore plaid with stripes. He was waiting for the fashion cycle to catch up to him by wearing each era at once. But now he’s a pretty dapper guy. He wears suits to church, and hats.

Looking back, I realize he was a pretty rambunctious dad. He played chase with us in a cemetery and let us sled down steep hills. He played a game we called Ghost in the living room that was frozen tag with a sheet over your head. I would have worried the Ghost would knock something over, but Pops was cool with it.

He rode his bike to work every day so Mom could have the car. The only time I ever heard them argue was when Pops wanted to bike through a blizzard. He played catch and read books and did all the Dad things you would want a great father to do. He made us feel secure whether we were at home or in the car. Although his claims to be “The Great Pathfinder” were somewhat dubious.

He’s smart but humble. He taught public school and watched it deteriorate. He saw Europe courtesy of an Army desk job and studied to be a priest. He’s highly literate and randomly hip. He’s nostalgic and optimistic.

Today I want to wish Happy Birthday to the World’s Greatest Dad. While some people are afraid they’ll grow up to be their father, for me that’s the goal.

Joy ride

We had a nice time at my brother Joe’s today, and the highlight was thanks to Gina. We took Ryan for a stroller ride, and Gina had the inspiration to ask my dad along. I don’t spend as much quality time with Pops as I would like, so it was good to get him away from the crowd with my own little family. “We’ve got three generation of Moose men here,” Gina said as we walked around the block, enjoying each other’s company and a beautiful afternoon.

My wife, my son, my dad and I. 

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Mr. Commitment

If blogging was around 50 years ago, my mom would have been all over it. She kept a record of every date my dad took her on. And she’s kept a family journal for over 40 years.

I’ve been reading the entries for Mom and Dad’s dates, and one of them stood out. It’s when Pop asked Mom to go steady. On their 222nd date. I immediately called him to bust his chops.

“What, were you playing the field?”

Me, I considered Gina my girlfriend after our first date.