Happy Papa's Day

Lately, Liam has taken to climbing trees. It has become his "thing" ever since he overcame his fear of getting scratched and poked by the prickly apple tree branches. Now he likes to show all the other kids "how he can climb trees" even though he is barely two feet off the ground. It is his thing and he is proud of it. A few days ago I was telling him how I used to love to climb trees along with his Uncle Jason and about our failed attempt at building a treehouse up in the old mullberry tree. I then told him the story about how one time, I tried to climb up a bigger tree (a prickly apple) and how I got my knee wedged in the fork of the tree and how Grandpa had to drop what he was doing to run out and climb up and get me unstuck from the apple tree.

I doubt that Dad even remembers that incident. I'm sure it was just one in a laundry list of jams and predicaments we kids were constantly getting into and Dad was constantly getting us out of. Dad was and still is our go-to guy for trouble. If there is something broke, leaking or running loose, Dad is the man to call. If you don't know how to turn something on-call Dad. If you don't know how to turn something off-call Dad. If it rattles and breaks and leaves you stranded alone on the side of the road--call Dad. Dad just KNOWS. I am always amazed at how even now, in my late 30's, I always turn to Dad if I have a question about something. And it goes far beyond the mechanical--Dad has always been a great person to lend a willing and supportive ear. In all of my woes over the years he has always made me feel loved, supported and heard. I know that when the chips are down and I feel my most alone all I have to do is call and he will be there to listen and love with his quiet strength and generous hugs.

Thank you Dad for always being there to get me down from the apple tree. I love you and value you more than any words could ever say. Happy Father's Day!