Hanging out with Dad

Since Mom passed away in January 2011, we have all had opportunities to be more involved with Dad.  He is a great guy!  In talking with some of my siblings, we have all commented on how we have gotten to know our Dad just a little bit better.

Obviously Mom was the talker and Dad was her number one supporter.  Well, now Dad has turned out to be quite the talker...his stories about things in the past, present and future are at times very thoughtful and at other times very entertaining.  When he talks about Mom, you can see the emotions start to come with tearful eyes and sometimes a quivering voice.  Sometimes his memories are different than I remember, but it's all good.

This past month has been busy and getting Dad to the different events/activites takes some planning and time.

A few weeks ago, he wanted to go to Willie's football game.  Well, we talked back and forth on how he was going to get there, where to park, etc.  Judy ended up getting the HHS administration to let him park on the street west of the stadium and open the gate on the North end so he could just walk in there.  After we sat down, he said "Wow, I didn't think Willie was that big!"  He watched with interest as Preston was so involved with coaching and asked "Does he had headphones on?"  Luckily most of the game the first half was played right in front of us.  When it was at the other end, he had his binoculars to watch.  I took him home at halftime with HHS down - and he said "Now they will probably win because I'm leaving".  They did end up winning, but it wasn't because he left.

Last night, I took him to the viewing of his liftime friend - Jim Traynor.  It was an all night event, ending with dinner at Hires.  It was fun to watch Dad talk and interact with what is left of the group he grew up with.  It was there that I realized how much Mom and Dad talked about things as we were growing up.  I knew and recognized people he introduced me to.  Midge (Quenton Midgely), Janet Keller (of Boyd and Janet), Lois Traynor (ex wife of Jim).  I remember going to parties at Sugarhouse Park with the "gang" and swimming at the Riches house (they had cute boys). Midge commented to me how he was a little jealous of how we took such good care of Dad - cooking him dinner, etc.

I'm thankful for my Dad.  I'm glad that he allows us to help him.  I've told him from time to time, if we bug him too much, he can let us know.  He always answers with "You don't bug me".

Tonight is another HHS football game - he has already asked if Judy can get the gate opened - he wants to be there for the senior night program.  It will be great!!!!