My Dad

I guess I don't tell too many stories about my dad though I have 23 years worth of memories with him thus far (hopefully many many more!)

Today we celebrate his 73rd birthday! That's 73 years of stories, wisdom, lessons learned, friendships gained and some lost-- good times to be certain.
That's 73 years of life making him into the man I know today and am blessed to call "MY daddy".

Even just this week I heard stories I've never heard about him picking up chicks at Disneyland it's opening summer in 1955 (daaang!)and being the only person he or I know to have ever been kicked out of Disneyland..
Hehehehe.. It's really quite funny if you ever have time to ask him about it.
I have learned many things from my dad: how to drive, how to make spaghetti, how to run off-side trap in soccer, how to hit in softball, how to swim, surf, sail, kayak, play basketball, how to make my mom exceptionally angry, how to maintain a checkbook, set up a bank account, achieve a credit score, from him I've learned to appreciate people who are good at their trade and let's not forget how I've learned to limit candy intake and spending all at once.

He only spanked me once ever...which is a miracle, because believe it or not, 70 something percent of all of Matt and my obnoxiousness was my idea..oops!

I had just bought my first wallet, from Sea World of course. It was bright blue plastic with a pocket of liquid that somehow allowed a suspended shamu figurine to swim about the ocean decor that was my wallet. I was excited to say the least but as an 9 year old I had nothing to put in it. So I did what all smart children do, I wrote my mom a letter about my fantastic new wallet. She replied with a 20 to store in the Shamu-clad accessory.
Which I did happily, for about an hour. And then the ice cream trucks came.. Yes, truckSsss! There were two that delighted our area with decadent ninja turtle ice cream bars with bubble gum eyeballs and yummy Lucas (which I wasn't allowed to eat:/)

I came home with two GIANT bags of candy, which barely represented the amount I had already given out in push pops and mexican candy.
My dad who was working in the yard at the time, swiftly confiscated my bags of candy despite my smile-filled story about what great deals I got from the ice cream trucks!

He knew something I didn't, the value of a $20 bill.
He also knew that that would be the day I got my first spanking.
Clearly something I didn't see coming (to this day!)
Yep, I got spanked and all my precious candy thrown straight in the garbage in front of me. I'm not sure which was more devastating- that I hadn't even tasted of my sweet spoils yet or that he proceeded to ground me from sugar for 3 months (who even does that??!)
He was relentless on the sugar-grounding but I never ever did that again.

However I've learned a more impactful lesson from my daddy that he's never ever had to say (or spank about)..he's just modeled it very clearly my whole life and that is generosity.
Whether its donating to a cause, throwing a birthday party, giving advice or going to work day in and day out- my dad is the most giving person I know!
And it doesn't come cheap for him, he never gives out of his excess- always out of his big heart! Whether it's his time which has always been precious as he working two full time jobs and raised my twin brother and I or money which he worked so hard, so diligently for for over 43 years at the same place to provide or of his capabilities which far surpass those of most men I know today, or of his advice, haha, he's definitely always been generous with his words. He gives all the time!

In our family, I know he gives of all those things and more- he gives of himself. He hurts when we hurt and struggles with us through each battle life presents his children- even when we don't ask him to.
For as long as I can remember we've had people living with us that he had no obligation, only a heart to give to them what they needed.
He gives liberally, he gives passionately, he gives lovingly.
May today, be a celebration of YOU and a time to appreciate everything you've given me including your example , your support and your love.

 I am so thankful for you! And I love you very very much!!
Happy 73rd birthday , Dad!

teaching matt to climb a tree.

 

this is just a classic picture... 

At my Dad's 71st birthday diner  

Fourth of July last year walking to beach

 

Camp Surf Reunion last summer