Happy Birthday Dad!

So, long ago, my mom asked us kids to come up with a list of 60 things I love about Dad. As with just about everything my mom asks me to do, I did it with a groan. For some reason, I have a very pessimistic attitude about these things. As a result, it has been pretty cool, and very much a time to reminisce.

About a month ago, while in the midst of putting this list together, I had a horrible nightmare. Trevor has been infatuated with death and dying, we went to a Twins' game and he started fixating on Kirby Puckett and why and how he died, and then an extended family member suffered a loss in their family. So one night compacting all these events, I had a nightmare that my dad had died. No real details about it other than we were all very sad and that because we were not able to give him this list of 60 reasons, we read it as his eulogy. I have always heard that it is so unfortunate that it isn't until someone has died that you get a chance to list off the wonderful things, so when I woke up, I decided it was an awesome time to be able to list off the memories and other things I was so thankful to have my dad around for. I am not trying to be a debbie downer by recounting this dream....just how it changed my view of this "task".

As a secondary thought....MAYBE...if my other siblings are brave enough (after my dad says it would be ok) that they could post theirs as well? I'd love to read what their memories are and perhaps relive the ones I might have skipped over.

So...without further adieu.....I give you.....60 reasons why I love you, dad.....


1) For introducing me to the sport of golf
2) For gently suggesting I take a few lessons at Tartan Park
3) For letting me take friends out golfing at Tartan
4) For not being extremely competitive with me when golfing. I know that is why I enjoy the game so much
5) For taking care of my sporting equipment needs from gifts to regripping my clubs
6) For being a (silent) coach at all my young sporting events
7) For coming to so many of my sporting events
8) For renting out the Lake Elmo Gym so we all could play around with basketball and other fun stuff
9) For bringing me to the YMCA all those times for swimming lessons
10) For introducing me to racquetball/tennis at the YMCA and Piney Ridge Lodge
11) For watching The Muppet Show, Dukes of Hazard, and those crazy 3D movies on TV with me
12) For sharing all that popcorn
13) For taking me to watch “Speed” before I was 17
14) For helping start and participate in an annual golf outing with Kevin, Brian, and me
15) For being a Bears fan. It was fun to watch them win the Superbowl with you
16) For helping me out with my math homework
17) For going to college and instilling that having a college degree is important
18) For showing me the value of money and objects – especially saving and not getting into debt
19) For helping teach the value of money and not being in debt by paying college expenses
20) For letting me balance the checkbook a few times. I LOVED IT!!!!
21) For giving me a car so I had transportation to school and my high school jobs
22) For our many trips to the science museum and omnitheater
23) For explaining to me that cars are one thing that you let other people take care of when they need it
24) For letting me interview you for a school project thereby giving me a glimpse at life for you before marriage
25) For helping me get my first new car
26) For valuing religion enough to make it a part of your life through attending church services
27) For bringing me and having me help out at the charity/volunteer events
28) For your drink-timed grilling style. It is yummy
29) For giving me your Big Mac pickles
30) For your cleaning/organizational skills
31) For showing me good qualities to have in a father
32) For showing me good qualities to have in a husband
33) For not yelling, except in extreme cases
34) For teaching me independence and responsibility at an early age
35) For teaching me about loyalty in many different ways
36) For bringing us kids in to work with you on a weekend and letting me go under the floorboards as well as letting us make “Wanted” posters
37) For bringing me to “take your daughter to work day” and arranging meetings with coworkers. I learned a lot about corporate work and how much people respect and love to work for you
38) For having and putting together the Christmas Train
39) For being such a kind and caring grandfather
40) For always trying things once
41) For being polite in dropping us off at the door before going to park the car
42) For thinking of us when you get prizes or samples. I love the free gifts!
43) For being a “handyman helper” with all our house projects
44) For making me understand (through experience) that taking a ticket stub with you is a good idea in case you don’t remember where your seat is
45) For gently reminding me to be a good daughter/granddaughter when I have been out of the loop or simply unintentionally forgetful
46) For visiting your dad every spring break
47) For braving the crowds at Disney World
48) For all the bar trips at Piney Ridge Lodge
49) For taking Meghan and me to Washington DC
50) For taking Marisa and me to LA
51) For taking Anne and me to San Diego
52) For letting us all come out to Denver to watch you play in the Invitational. I will always remember our stop in South Dakota
53) For captaining the DandyLiz
54) For being a roller coaster rider
55) For bringing me to the drive-in A&W stand and getting those mini A&W glasses of root beer/root beer floats
56) For coming with us to the casino at the cabin
57) For taking us to the Embassy Suites for an in-town “vacation”
58) For thinking of Russ and I and getting us the weekend getaway at Maddens
59) For being the father-of-the-bride and all that it entailed. It was wonderful to share that with you.
60) For visiting me in the hospital the January after Trevor was born. It meant a lot to me.