Art’s Daughter: A Father’s Day Tribute

Lately, I have been catching myself thinking of my dad. More specifically, my dad is getting older. I don’t think of him as being old, he is just my dad. Yet, the truth is, he is getting older. We all are.

When my mind starts to wander and I am thinking of my dad not being here, my gut flips and my knees tingle. I get scared because there will come a time when he won’t be here. I will not be able to just pick up the phone and call him. There will be no more last tags, a game we have played throughout the years. I won’t get to sit at the counter and watch him cook an amazing meal. Who will I talk to when things get too shitty in the world? My love of coffee and crosswords in the morning is my dad’s doing. He is also responsible for teaching me the value of working hard followed by playing hard.

It’s not just me who needs him. Watching him with my teenage son, whom I am convinced he loves more than me, is such a gift. My son needs him as well. They are buddies and partners in crime whenever they are together.

Over the last fifty-six years I have gotten to know, and love my dad for who he is. I have known him longer than I have known anyone. My dad is a rough, tough, cream-puff with a hell of a big heart. He has always been here for me; we have had plenty of our ups and downs over the years. In the end, we come out better than before.

To say I owe him everything seems to fall flat. Not enough. Perhaps, it is because there is so much more that I have yet to live, learn, and experience. It would be hard not sharing all future circumstances with him.

Years ago, when moving out west my dad pulled me aside.

“Dad, I’m really going to miss you.” Tears blubbered down my cheeks.

Taking his index finger, he placed it in the middle of my forehead, just above the bridge of my nose, he said, “I will always be with you here and here.” He tapped his chest where is heart beats.

That’s just not enough, I thought.

Time is a precious commodity. Something we all wish we had more of, but don’t.  I will make sure to cherish the times we still have. I believe there are still plenty of years for that. It never will be taken for granted. I am grateful to still have my dad here on this Father’s Day. My dad is the best and what a privilege it is to be Art’s daughter.