Happy Birthday Dad

Dad would have been 69 years old today. It was a rough day emotionally today. In fact, it’s been a pretty rough weekend. I’ve been thinking about Mom and Dad a lot. When something good happens.. when Andrew or Alex does something that I am proud of, I just want to get on the telephone and call them and brag about how proud I am, and how proud they should be as grandparents.

Friends, I bullshit a lot. I admit that. Don’t under appreciate your parents. Every time you see them, hug them like it’s the last time you’ll ever see them. If your family isn’t the affectionate type or you just don’t hug, it’s a good time to start. I have lost a brother, several good friends, but nothing has compared to the pain of loosing my parents. I am 33 years old, and it’s the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. I keep wondering when I will get past it. When will the pain start to die down, and I come to terms with it? I am a pretty happy-go-lucky type guy, but this really sucks.

There has been some good come of all this — really good. I have started talking with my eldest brother, Terry, much more often. I have spoken to Terry more in the last couple weeks than I have in the last 10 years. It’s not because I don’t love him, it’s just that he lives in Tennessee, and I am in Texas and we just don’t see each other that often. I have decided that this has got to change. This summer, we’re going to load up and go for a visit — and we’re taking Cheryl, Jason and Christian, too. It’s going to be a blast.

I loved my parents.. I still do. I miss them a lot. Through some tears this weekend, I pulled some photos of Mom and Dad at various times through the last 10 years and posted them on Facebook and here. I was surprised at how many photos I had of Mom since she hated having her picture taken.

Happy birthday Dad! You would be so proud of your grandsons!!