Dad's Turn
Mood:  blue
Topic: Family and Friends
I posted about my mom for the 4th anniversary of her death, so now it's my dad's turn. Today is the 4th anniversary of his death from lung cancer.

My dad didn't have the easiest life. He was the 8th of 10 children in a family of drinkers/smokers and he followed in those footsteps. He eventually quit drinking and smoking, but it had done it's damage both physically and emotionally. He didn't really show much in the way of emotions and he didn't talk much either, but underneath the hard exterior he was really just a big softy.

He enjoyed camping and made the best scrambled eggs and bacon over a campfire. He enjoyed a good prank and good game of Canasta. He really enjoyed bowling, was a member of numerous leagues, and was extremely good at it. I like the story about the time he was on his way to a 300 - the perfect game. It takes 12 strikes in a row to have a perfect game. My dad had rolled 11 and as he went up for his final ball, another member of his team said "Here's your 300 Bill". That was enough to throw him off and he missed by two pins. His score came to 298. He enjoyed spending time with his two grandsons and he was the only person that said I would have a girl. I'm sure Lauren would be treasure to him. In fact, on one of my visits, when I was 4 months pregnant, I took him to get groceries. Weak from chemo and having difficulty breathing, he refused to let me carry in the groceries. He insisted on doing it himself because he didn't want me to take the chance of losing a third baby. I told him I was past the miscarriage point, but he teared up and said it was just too important. Tears from a man who never showed his emotions.

My fondest memory of him will always be my first trip home from college. It was for Thanksgiving break and the minute I walked in the door he came over and gave me the biggest hug I ever remember him giving.

I can still feel it now.