Sixty.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 11:15AM Today my dad would have turned sixty. I have a layout in my head about how I'd likely have made him a mini album listing 60 random things that he's taught me over the years. I haven't finished the layout yet but feel compelled to share the list. Here, then, are sixty things my dad taught me:
1. the rules of and an appreciation for football
2. how to bake an apple pie
3. how to properly pick cherries
4. the importance of faith
5. how to ride a bike
6. how to drive (both cars and tractors)
7. the joys of having cousins
8. how to listen to Bob Dylan and not be weirded out
9. how to play pinochle
10. how to plant a garden
11. how to pray a rosary
12. what the seven sacraments are
13. how to keep baseball stats
14. the patience necessary for a farming life
15. the importance of smudging
16. a willingness to get dirty
17. how to bait a hook
18. an appreciation for history
19. that Sean Connery will always be the best James Bond
20. that “The Ten Commandments” and “Ben Hur” are the longest movies ever
21. a respect for tradition
22. a love of hometowns
23. how to tell different varieties of cherries apart
24. the importance of taking photos
25. a respect for one’s elders
26. that words aren’t always necessary
27. the satisfaction of a hard day’s work
28. the fun to be had in washing the car
29. the ability to laugh at one’s self
30. how to suck at video games
31. that winning isn’t as important as how you play
32. how to be an acolyte
33. how to be a lector
34. the importance of bees for pollination
35. how to say my prayers
36. the value of placing flowers at cemeteries
37. that losing can be fun
38. to always be sure any luggage on top of the car is strapped down securely
39. how to say “too many leaves” in Spanish
40. that honesty is the best policy
41. that it’s important to keep your eyes on the road
42. how to tell wheat from barley and oats
43. how to love blood sausage
44. how to make a sandwich out of your over-easy egg, bacon & toast
45. how to swing a bat
46. how to always look for the good in a situation
47. how to write checks
48. that it’s fine not to drink/like milk
49. the benefits of wearing a hat in the summer
50. the power of the word “uncle” when involved in a tickling bout
51. the exact cadence of the “Uppsie, Daisy” song in the mornings
52. that “kili-kili’s” are the most vulnerable tickle spots
53. the peacefulness of a summer sunrise
54. the ability to not only make due with what you have but to enjoy it
55. how to make whirlpools in the feed tank/swimming trough
56. that a simple sound (“buzzzzz”) can evoke a strong reaction (tickle bees)
57. an appreciation for solitude and nature
58. the importance of treating others as you would like to be treated
59. the ability to trust
60. what it means to be loved
Happy birthday, Dad! I miss you.
Reader Comments (5)
HUGS! 60 wonderful things....
(((hugs))) ... thinking of you today. What an incredible list - your Dad gave you so many wonderful gifts. Thank you for sharing with us!
How very sweet, Amanda, he sounds like a terrific father and I can only imagine how much you miss him. You've reminded the rest of us how short and precious life is.
beautiful! tfs and hugs to you!
so many wonderful gifts he gave you. You are truly lucky to have had him.