“What’s a goober?” I ask as if Dad will answer the meaning
of life.
“THAT’S a goober” Dad emphasizes with a point of the finger at the direction college tour guide.
“THAT’S a goober” Dad emphasizes with a point of the finger at the direction college tour guide.
My Dad is a big inspiration in my life. From his Dad-isms and
expansion of vocabulary through words such as goober and old fogey, or his
teaching me how to drive
defensively (“You’re in a thousand tons of steel driving at above average
speeds…have fun!”).
His love for hot dogs and weird
condiments always weirded me out. But I was able to raise the bar by
introducing him to a Chicago
Dog. Dad raised me on strange
breads and always beat
me in sports. How convenient that a back injury caused him to retire after I
almost beat him in basketball. I think he uses that also as a reason as to why
he falls
asleep in random places (IKEA is his favorite).
Dad isn’t a golfer but instilled in me a love for baseball. Binoculars,
scorecards,
and fresh cut grass are the ultimate signs of summer. They’re also the ultimate
sign of bonding. I still think that one of the balls I got at the ballpark was
planted by him. But I am forever grateful for it. My Dad fulfilled childhood
dreams by taking me to World Series games. There isn’t a baseball game I don’t
watch, attend, nor read about that I don’t think of him.
My Dad’s mustache
was legendary. My permanent mustache is a result of his genes. At age 20, I saw
my Dad for the first time without a mustache. He had to bribe me with a burrito
to get in the car with him as I thought he was a stranger. And now while he is balding, he
fluctuates his facial hair faster than I can grow mine out.
Although my Dad may be singing “My Girl” to my sisters, I
am right behind him performing the slide out. Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Motown
pump through my veins because of him. His dance moves
prove to me that Dads will always have more soul and swag than my generation.
Lastly, Dad is a leader. He provides for my family and for
others. His love for our family and other people is contagious. He uses his
opportunities to offer opportunities to others. I always strive to help others
because of how I’ve seen Dad lift other people around him. His imparted
lessons, both directly and indirectly, inspire me to better myself.
I can only hope to be half the man he is when I am a Dad. So thank you Dad, for taking on all the characteristics of Dads, but also making them your own.
I can only hope to be half the man he is when I am a Dad. So thank you Dad, for taking on all the characteristics of Dads, but also making them your own.