Happy Father's Day
This year since I made a blog tribute to my Mom, it seems only fair that I do one for my Dad as well. He doesn't like a fuss, so this one is a little shorter.
I can't possibly articulate all the reasons that my Dad is the greatest, but I'm going to at least try...
Toppest number one reason- he's my Dad!
Most of all- my Dad loves me (and I love him).
Dad loves gardening, and makes the 2 acre plot a lush rainforest jungle and a cool green place to hang out away from the flaming hot Oz sun. A proudly stated fact- their house & garden is 10 degrees F cooler than the neighbors, you can tell where the property line is by the trees. One of my earliest memories is following my Dad around the garden and planting rose apple seeds to watch them sprout (we got such tasty rose apples from the tree that resulted). I credit him with my passion for plants and gardening.
Dad always got up n the morning to water the orchids. I remember the year there was a drought and I watered all 600 plants by hand with a syringe. My favorite orchids were the ones that grew in direct sunlight and had massively thick roots. Dad helped me with countless science projects involving apical stem/root growth. Dad taught me how to read, helped me with my math/science and how think logically. I credit him with my passion for science and teaching.
On the weekends he'd take us down to the sports club and we'd play squash all day. He encouraged us to join the junior squad, and ferried us to tournaments and practice. We started at around aged 9, and continued until we left for college. Gwynie and I recently started up with squash again and realized the thing missing all these years was our early ritual of squash. It would be better if Dad was there to play too, nothing like the crafty game to keep you huffing and puffing.
He has a typically subtle British sense of humor. Grinning and chuckling silently at the latest dry wit. We grew up listening to Kenneth Horne on reel to reel tapes, and watching Yes Minister/Prim Minister. It wasn't until I left home that I realized that very few people try to work puns into their sentences ALL the time.
I miss my Dad and wish that I could see him more often. Hopefully my folks will travel to the USA this year. It would be so great if they could live in the Bay Area and we could have family dinners, and I could pop over to hang out with my dad anytime.
I love you Dad!
rare Terry family photo
And of course to all those other dad's out there- I hope your day was marvelous!