My Dad

So I have now mentioned my mom and my sister but I don't want my dad to feel left out. I have lots of good memories of my dad. Before I go much further, you should know my dad has a beloved beagle. He's a great dog and has stuck with my dad through thick and thin.

The thing I appreciate most about my dad is his ability to be honest with me. Even when I was a child and it may have been more appropriate to gloss over some truths, my dad was straight with me. I really respect that. When I broke up with my college boyfriend my dad said "Well, that's OK. Life moves on. And beagles make good companions, too."

One thing that really is touching about my dad is his marriage with my stepmom. They are cute together. One of my favorite memories is when my dad and I travelled throughout Southwest England together. I was living in London at the time. My dad has a tendency to visit me in the various cities I live in and literally exhaust me. It's like when he leaves the Midwest he gets this burst of energy, this sense of I! Must! Do! This! Now! Broadway! The West End! DC! I am here now and must enjoy it!

So we had been on this driving trip through Southwest England together and stopped at this little B & B in a tiny town. We were the only guests that night, if I remember correctly. We wandered down to the town pub for dinner. It was nearly a mile walk. My dad had, maybe 3 pints, which far exceed his capacity to digest pints. In layman's terms, he was drunk. On the pitch-black walk back he stopped in a red English telephone both to call my stepmom and tell her he loved her. It was so cute. Afterwards, he talked to me about how fabulous life is and some of his memories of England from his semester abroad in college. I bet he doesn't even remember what he told me that night.

But, nonetheless, it was good because it was quality time with me and my dad.