Historygirlie's Top Ten: Father's Day Style

And now, it's time for HistoryGirlie's Top Ten: Why I Love My Dad.....

10. He genuinely loves our mother. We can see his respect for his wife in everything he does. That is the most important thing he taught us...to love your spouse and show your love. He's a quiet man...doesn't say much...but his actions spoke louder than words. My aunts always say..."Marry a man like Poppy, and you'll live like a queen". They weren't kidding. He's an amazing husband.

9. He has a polo shirt that has charcoal grills, hamburgers, and hot dogs on it. He only wears it on the 4th of July...it's charming.

8. He took us on 3 big trips in the Van-O-Ram when we were kids. Florida, Nashville, and Washington DC. He was more excited than we were. We loved those trips, even though we were in the Van. He and I plan on taking a trip to follow Lewis and Clark some day. They are our favorite explorers. We'd also love to follow Laura Ingalls Wilder's paths. He just loves to travel and see new things. If he could, he'd spend every summer weekend in Minaqua in the Northwoods. He also loves the northwoods. I guess he basically loves any place that has lots of water and lots of trees.

7. He loves going to the landfill, Sam's Club, and getting his oil changed. All three are big events in his life. He calls us to tell us about his big day if he's going to any of these three places.

6. He takes excellent care of his father, who's recently been diagnosed with Alzeheimer's or Dementia. He goes out to their house 2-3 times a week to make sure all is ok.

5. He would take off work to go to our big events at school. Even if we weren't guaranteed to play in the big crosstown rival game, he would be in the stands cheering us on. I figure he spent 16 years sitting in the bleachers from when I started to when my sister ended.

4. He took us camping to Jellystone and up north when we were little. He only got one weekend off a month from the mill, and in the summer he spent it with us at the campground. I can almost guarantee that my brother and sister can agree~camping are some of the best memories we have from growing up.

3. He taught us to love the water. We would go to Sand Bay Beach in Door County in the summer, and he'd spend hours just staring out at the water looking for "Ocean Going Vessels". sometimes he'd bring a flashlight at night to see if they were out at night. Now we all keep an eye out for big ships when we're near Lake Michigan or the Bay of Green Bay.

2. He felt bad that he had to work the Southern Swing shift at the paper mill when we were little. He wasn't home at normal times, but when he was, he was 100% DAD. we would have waffles for breakfast when others were having cereal when he worked 3-11; there would be snacks on the counter when we'd get home from school when he worked days, and when he worked nights...amazing suppers and homework help before he went to sleep before work. And, when he wasn't home? Then....our stuffed animals would be set up in funny scenarios when we'd get home or he'd had started on amazing paper-mache projects that he liked to help us make. One time, dad and I made a dinosaur out of a bleach bottle and hanger, and he was sitting in a cardboard pool, complete with trees. It was amazing. But the best thing he did was create a flash card tape. One day he came home and Dad was at work. During the day he had set up the video camera and taped himself going through the all four sets of flashcards so Mom didnt' have to when she was home alone with us. Just thinking of all that love makes my heart smile.

AND....although I could go on forever about my awesome Pappy....

#1: He is the best Grandpa there is. He doesn't flinch when I ask him if he can watch Kitty. When I was struggling with severe post partum depression, he'd just randomly show up to watch Kitty so I could relax or do some laundry or sit in a sitz bath. He loves to take Kitty to Bay Beach or run errands. He's been known to buy little treats because Kitty might like some Animal crackers some day. Kitty likes to march around his dining room table, so he found a John Phillip Sousa CD to march to. Recently, he asks to take Kitty on sleepovers, because he likes to see her all sleepy in the morning. The love he feels for Kitty is so apparent in everything he does.

So, readers, if you love your dad, let him know it. Although I can bet that my dad is better than your dad. :) My dad's the best. The best, Jerry, the Best!!! (He also loves to watch Seinfeld, and he quotes it all the time....it's not annoying, but rather endearing.)