Sunday Morning Serenity

Daddy and I have never found it difficult to say "I love you." We say it every time we talk on the phone or see each other. But I'm thinking this morning about all the things I haven't told him. So . . . 

Dear Daddy,

I'm sorry I was too chicken to learn how to float on my back when you tried to teach my buddy Sarah and me as kids. If it's any consolation, she can still float on her back and will probably teach her grandchildren the same way you taught her.

Looking back, it was really sporting of you to request a refund from management whenever a juke box would eat my nickel without delivering "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (which was always my most requested song back in the day).

I love the crazy way you think—like when you and Mama were building our house and you hauled all the insulation in a Pontiac. And removed my old piano from the kitchen by tying one end of a rope to your truck and the other to the piano. Who else but you would drive a piano out of the house?

I appreciate the reason you oppose beauty pageants: "because all young girls are beautiful, and they shouldn't be made to feel that they aren't pretty enough." (This was an especially helpful escape hatch for me in my teen years, as I never had the confidence—or the Aqua Net skills—to pursue the tiara.)

Even though we disagree with each other on a regular basis, I think you're really smart.

You're one of the funniest people I've ever met. 

You have great taste in music. (Bless you for introducing Dave to Gatemouth and Satchmo because he was wearing out those Elvis CDs.)

Now that I'm old enough—or just plain old—I understand how hard you worked and how much you gave up so that I could do anything I wanted. You gave me Auburn and Baylor and opened the door to a dream job. Without you and Mama, I never would've gotten to tell stories for a living. Think about that. I got to tell STORIES for a LIVING. All because of you.

For whatever reason, you've always seemed convinced that I'm really something:) Thank you for that vote of confidence.

I will continue to disagree with you because it keeps your mind sharp. I will continue to roll my eyes when you lecture me ("the pontificating" as we call it). On the upside, I will always listen to Delta blues and watch Gary Cooper movies. So all in all, it's a wash, right? :)

Feeling very blessed this morning.

Happy Father's Day!

Comments

[Diane Latham]

You are so good at telling stories. Always love them. Happy Father's Day to Junior. See you Tuesday.