Happy Father's Day!

It's been a while, but I am back! In celebration of Father's Day I thought I would chat about my Dad. My Dad's name is Jack, or John, depending on who you ask. He came from a family of 9 kids, can you imagine? They lived in a 2 bedroom house with one bathroom. It astonishes me that they did not kill each other! My Dad was a Butcher for Acme Markets and retired just a little over a year ago. He is what you would call a simple man.  Dad doesn't say a whole lot, he rarely raises his voice, he loves being outside, and he enjoys good 'ole hard work. He has the best work ethic of anyone I have ever met. If Dad missed a day of work it meant he was REALLY sick, or my mom, sisters or I were REALLY sick.

My Dad has stories that can keep you laughing all night, I mean 8 siblings offers a lot of stories! Whats even more fun is that my mom lived right next to him so when you get the 2 of them together and their memories work with each other it's even more of a treat!

I have 2 sisters which means my dad had 4 females to deal with at one time, under one roof for over 20 years. That's a lot of women! His patience for waiting is unparalled. Getting 4 females out of the house on time does not always happen, but he would sit in the car in the driveway, and listen to music and just wait. Even now, he will pick me up at the airport and no matter how many times I tell him when the flight lands, he is an hour early and he just waits. He never complains about it. Just drinks some coffee and probably eats too many doughnuts, and waits.

While in college I talked to my parents a few times a week. Now, my dad doesn't say much but something he always said to my sisters and I is "Are you eating?". It was his way, I think, of saying How are you? How is your day? How is school? Are you alright? If we were eating it meant everything else was just fine. He still asks, and I'm 32 years old.

Being far away from family makes you appreciate them more. As I think about my Dad and the stories we share I think of the things that he has taught me:
1. To work hard, to go to work and do a good job so you can take care of yourself and your family.
2. To grab a chair and sit outside when you need to relax. A little country music on the radio helps :)
3. To be patient. Life gets crazy. Don't sweat the small stuff.
4. To wash my face after I cry because it will make me feel better.
5. That love is unconditional. Through the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, love can survive.

Happy Father's Day to the BEST Dad in the world!
In Health,
Tricia