Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Dad, thank you for teaching me...

 *Work ethic..you'd drive truck for 80 hours a week and come home and mow, weed, work on the cars,  putts in the yard, clean the garage, and fix all the appliances if anything broke while you were gone. 

*How to give back massages...you would have me "tuck you in" at about 7pm, knowing you'd have to get up at 3am to go to work.  I always thought it was to really tuck you in, but now as a parent, I realize it was to really, tuck me in so I'd be quiet so you could sleep.  Clever!  Well, during those times, you would scratch and rub my back till I fell asleep and then carry me to my room.  Well, thanks dad, cause my kids now receive the "tuck me in" treatment and love it as well. 

To love to swim...You loved swimming with us and throwing us in the water.  On vacation, at William O'Brien, Forst Lake, we always went swimming and you loved it as much as us.  Thank you!

How to Fish...I remember getting up at 4am and heading out fishing with you along the same lakes you and your dad fished in.  I enjoyed our fishing outings more than you, I'm sure.  I always caught more than you, mostly because you were helping me.

To enjoy a cup of coffee...Some of my fondest memories are going to Meister's with you to chat with the guys and drink coffee.  I looked forward to Saturday morning coffee with you.

The gift of gab and helpfullness...after Saturday morning coffee, we would head to Roger's, Eddie's, Grandpa Loren's, Jimmy's, or any number of your friend's and family's homes and just see how they're doing and see if you could help.  Not sure how helpful we were, but I sure liked climbing on the tractors, learning to work on cars, homemade cookies, and more coffee.

To play during church...You would play little hand games with us during church and mom would glare at all of us.  When you had enough of "the look," you'd play and make faces with the babies in front of you.

To read a map...Oh thank you, Dad!!!!  I can drive nearly anywhere in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  Why?  Because if I wanted to go somewhere, you handed me a map and said, "here you go, have fun."  Thank you, I'm not directionally challenged!

To drive a stick shift...it has come in hady more than once in my life.  Not to mention, manual transmition vehicles are less expensive! 

To travel the back roads...Oh my word we hated when you'd take the back roads on a weekend getaway!  HATED!!!!  And now, I live for back roads, especially during snow storms and driving home from work.  THANK YOU!!!! 

To travel...Dad, you love to travel.  Thank you, for trips to Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Idaho, and all the states in between!  Thank you, for long family weekends to unknown destinations.  Thank you!

Thank you, Dad for teaching me to be proud of my kids, and love them unconditionally.  I love you, Dad!