dad days.

He taught me how to ride a bike
and how to throw a baseball,
better than the boys.
When I was younger,
he would brush my curly hair before school
and do you believe it never hurt?
Anything he would eat, always tasted ten times better
and if I was eating the same thing,
you best believe I’d have a bite of his.
He introduced me to good music and encouraged me to play piano.
The Shawshank Redemption became my favorite movie when I was 12.
When I’d tell him “I love John Mayer”, he’d tell me
as he rolled his eyes “And he loves you.”
Lunch was always going to be great when he went shopping.
A trip to the beach always required a Nirvana song.
His chair at the old house,
would always be big enough for the both of us,
no matter how old I got.
These are just some of the things I miss
but am lucky enough to remember.

I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
How could you possibly forget
the things that help shape who you’ve become?
It was all of those little things
that ended up being
the big things
the meaningful things.
It happened,
little by little,
day by day,
without him even being here.

I am lucky though.
We had 20 years to get to know each other
and if we had 20 more, we’d be best friends.
I am certain of that.

My father had a purpose.
A place in the universe, as we all do
And I believe it lives on.                                                                                                                                   Self made, highly motivated.                                                                                                                  and centered.

That was my dad
and that sounds a lot like me.
I am lucky.

Sometimes, when we celebrate days like today I feel his
absence more than usual but..

I think about him even when I don’t mean to.
Every single day.
Can you say the same about your father?

So, if you have somebody that reminds you of my dad…
you’re lucky.
And,
if they’re still around
learn them
listen to them
love them
because the things they teach you
are invaluable
Long,
Long,
Long,
after they’re gone.