I feel like my dad is one of he most interesting persons I know. With insight to over 80 years of life experience, he is always someone I could ask advice about and not feel dumb about asking. Yesterday Kyle and I took my Father and my Mom out for a father's day luncheon. Of course since they lived in Suburbia, we took them to a typical steak/burger restaurant.
As usual they were their cheery/sarcastic selves and always had stories to share about their week/day/month. My mother, always wanting to steal the show, kept on hounding us about her visits to her doctor, while my father in his fashion ignored the 100th telling of the story and kept his eyes on the prize. Which was a rack of baby back ribs.
As most children grown up and living away from their parents, I for one now enjoy my visits with my parents. Though tiring as they sometimes are, I can see my parents as people who are just amazing. I feel as if so many opportunites were lost by my being a "teenager" and not seeing what they were seeing. Though to make up for it all I have my little moments with them at lunch, drives to and from San Francisco, and our little shopping outtings.
My father, being a great storyteller, has always something to share from his past. Whether he knew you or not, you would just listen to what he had to say. In his most recent story he shared about his time exploring Catholocism at a young age. Say around 11-12 years old. In the USA that is around 5th-6th grade. To continue, his adventures into this religion wasn't a spiritual one but more of a materialistic one. He explained that the reason why he went to Catachism with his schoolmates was because at every nighttime class they would earn a ticket. This ticket could be used towards presents at the end of the year. After going to so many, the priest at the time gave him a note to give to his parents explaining that he couldn't continue his studies and participate till he was baptised. When grandpa read the letter he immediately explained to my dad "Well, you can keep going, but unfortunately you are baptised Greek Orthodox!" To which my dad replied, "I don't care! I just want the prizes!"
I enjoy these stories.
Happy Father's Day Dad.
I love you!
xoxo