Happy Father’s Day…

Since Father’s Day is right around the corner, I thought I’d dedicate a post to my own wonderful father. My dad and mom were in town a few weeks ago, and I cajoled them into taking a few photos. My dad likes to have his picture taken about as much as I like to have my picture taken…which you will notice in his pained expressions. I find them very, very humorous!

Let me tell you one of my favorite stories of my childhood. When I was in 1st grade we lived in Memphis, Tennessee. My dad had recently gotten out of the army (I’m sure there is an official term for that…but I don’t know it) and he worked for an insurance company. We didn’t have much money, which I realize only when I look back. At the time, I didn’t notice. My parents bought me a used bicycle to ride, totally unsupervised (hey…it was the 70s) around the neighborhood. One day, while happily riding my bike I passed by a couple of girls sitting on the curb. They yelled, “Your bike is tacky!!!!”…and since I didn’t know what “tacky” meant, I sincerely thanked them and went on my way. When I got home, my dad was in the working in the front yard. I parked the bike I loved with all my heart and asked my dad, “What does tacky mean?” Now…my dad is one smart cookie. He didn’t answer me. Instead he asked, “Where did you hear that word?” I told him and without a beat he answered, “It means very pretty.” That story makes me tear up every time I tell it!

Most people were scared to death of my dad, especially any boyfriends I had. I think he liked it that way. It totally embarrassed me. I think he liked that too. I dated my husband while in high school and I specifically remember poor Brandon saying “hi” to my dad when he came in the door from work and my dad grunting at Brandon as he walked by without further acknowledging Brandon. In retrospect, very funny. At the time, humiliating. And so I really tried to arrange for people to pick me up when my dad wasn’t home. (I’m one smart cookie, too!) My dad was no respecter of persons — he was like that with everyone. But it was all a farce. My dad is actually very kind, trusting, generous, patient, calm as can be, smart, and FUNNY!

My dad taught me the value of work and money. He owned a first aid distribution company when I was a teenager. If I wanted money, I had to go into the warehouse and pack (repackage large quantities of band-aid, cold packs, pills, etc. from bulk into sellable quantities.) I HATED it. The warehouse was hot in the summer and cold in the winter…and a little freaky if I was all by myself (which I often was when I got up at 4:00 a.m. in the summer to work). But, he paid me by how quickly I worked. So I worked fast and efficiently and raked in the money. But he also taught me humility by driving me to school in a Mr. First Aid van –complete with a huge, happy, waving band-aid on the side. If my brother drove me to school in that van, he would honk and yell, “Bye Lori” for everyone around the hear. (Thanks, Phil!!)

My dad taught me to be honest. This was not an innate trait for me. I remember McDonalds accepting donations for Jerry Lewis’ charity. I thought it was a great idea. I would go door to door in my neighborhood, tell them I was collecting money to donate to Jerry Lewis’ charity, etc….with just one catch…why donate the money? I could totally keep it and no one would be the wiser. Or…no one would have been the wiser if I hadn’t been busted crossing a busy street in our neighborhood and had to confess what I was up to. My dad calmly (of course) sat me down and talked about it…and promptly took me to McDonalds to donate the money I had collected.

He taught me to be self-confident. And independent. He taught me I could be anything I wanted if I just put my mind to it. And like all great lessons, I didn’t learn them in a sit down, talk-it-out session. He taught by example.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you.

Did I mention he’s the best grandpa in the world? My boys adore him!