My Dad was a referee. I remember going to some of the games he worked and thinking he was so cool! He actually umpired at least one of my softball games in middle school. I didn't think he was so cool that day. He called me out on a pitch that looked terrible. How embarrassing! I am sure the other team thought it was weird that I road home with him.
A lot of my memories revolve around riding in his little blue truck. I always wanted that to be my truck in high school, but no such luck. Anyway, one day we were driving and he was drinking his trusty Mountain Dew. I was so nervous, but I decided I had to have a tough conversation with my Dad. Breaking the silence I said "Dad, I don't think you are suppose to drink and drive." (Or something to that effect.) I guess the drinking and driving campaign was pretty strong at that time. My Dad chuckled, but didn't make fun of me and then proceeded to explain what it really meant to drink and drive. He was pretty patient with my innocents.With that patience he was also a tease. He use to come up to me and ask if I wanted to be baptized. It didn't matter what I said he would throw water on me. He also was pretty strict. I remember being grounded for getting a 2 (1 was the highest and 5 was the lowest) in citizenship and I think a C. He was pretty smart and wanted me to live up to the potential he knew I had.
My Dad was a pilot. He flew Cessna airplanes out of an airport in Troy, MI. I got to go up with him a few times. It was amazing to watch how seriously he took his responsibility as a pilot. I don't think I ever saw him sweat so much as he did when he was flying airplanes. In the end it was a plane crash (he was not the pilot) that ended his life, but that didn't make me bitter toward flying. My Dad died young, but he died doing something he loved.
Another fond memory I have of my Dad is working at Meadowbrook. It was fun to watch him follow in FarFar's footsteps as he worked with customers and employees. The highlight of going to Meadowbrook with him, other than the pop and ice cream and other great food, was the ride home. As a young child, I had my Dad's undivided attention. I talked to him about all sorts of things that were important to me and he would listen. Some of our best conversations were about spiritual matters. Just the feelings I remember from that quiet time are worth so much!The final memory to share comes from my first temple trip as a youth. My Dad was the Young Men's president at the time, so he was there too. My Dad was preforming the baptisms at the beginning (see link above for more info about temples). They were going to have another guy take his spot, but someone realized I still hadn't had a chance to be baptized. They told me to go before my Dad finished. My Dad was able to baptize me on behalf of those that have died. It was a great bonding moment that almost didn't happen. I am so glad he was a worthy priesthood holder! I love him so much! I miss him and hope that he is proud of his baby girl.
1 comment:
You know he is. I think he is also proud of your husband and little ones.
You didn't say anything about that flight where he told the tower that they just put a big plane on his altitude and they told him to drop immediately and he didn't tell you why you dropped so quickly till later that night. He was telling me about it and I told him he should explain it to you so you wouldn't be afraid to fly with him.
Another good memory.
mum
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