San Francisco October 2005

Newport Beach Summer 2005

Father's Day

Father's Day, the day we honor father's. This year like the one before, I will not be able to pick up the phone or make the five-hundred mile drive to my Dad's retirement home in Cherokee Village, AR to celebrate. This year I will remember, I will remember him and my older brother in the front yard on a warm sunny California day working in our vegetable garden or tending to the chickens and ducks we raised. I will remember him and my Mother taking me to the Circus when I was four and remembering how secure I felt when he would pick me up in his arms and carry me into my bed after we arrived home. I will remember him taking me on my first trip to Disneyland in 1963 by car, just the two of us. I will remember all those trips he made to my concerts, graduation from High School and College. I will remember that I wouldn't be able to be in graduate school without his encouragement and support. I will remember when my Dad, my brother, and me were all together in our tux's on my wedding day. I will remember when my Dad, my Father in Law, my Son and me went to see the Dallas Cowboy's play at Texas Stadium. I will remember the many trips my step-mother, Irene, and him made to visit our family especially the grandchildren. I will remember how every time we talked he never failed to ask about Joshua, Courtney and Ashley. I will remember when my son and I went to visit him and the three of us went fishing together. I will remember sitting by my Father's bedside, my brother on the left, all of us together, praying together, and after finishing Dad taking our hands in his and kissing them. I will remember standing in front of his church and performing his funeral; standing at his graveside and saying goodbye.

So today as we honor our Father's, remember as much as possible those thing's that are worthy of remembering.
I miss you Pop.

Mt. Gorgonio January 2006