#36 Dad

My Dad. He was quite the man. I got a lot of things from my dad - my blue eyes, my Irish skin tone and definitely my sense of humor. He definitely did not give me his height! And I am pretty sure I got my loudness from him! He use to say he could hear me above all the other children in the neighborhood. He had a lot of accomplishments in his life and he was very creative. He took me with him to work at AB&C (he was the "A") often. It was his advertising agency. I loved being in that office, I can remember sitting in his big chair playing office or in the drawing room. It was like "take your kids" to work day, but all the time! He worked so I could play! I remember him letting me "drive" (I would steer) his cars when we got in our neighborhood...especially his old corvette. I always knew I could get more from my dad than my mom and there were many times I used this to my advantage. Above all was a fighter. Ever since I was young, I always remember him being around doctors. First it was his kidney transplant and then cancer. When I was a child he and my mom never made me feel uncomfortable about things that were going. He let me take a replica of the "band" they were putting in his arm, because the dialysis had damage his veins, to show and tell. Yes I took medical items to show and tell...he got a kick out of that! There were many times the doctor told us that he would not make and he did. He was on hospice twice. The second time around, they said it would be 3 months, - it was 2 years after. He did things his on way during his battle with cancer and the doctors were all amazed, some just couldn't understand it and called him a medical mystery! His death was no different. It was tough to watch him during those last few months, but it sure did make me get over my fear of needles (and for anyone who knows me - that is HUGE). He passed away peacefully while I was visiting my sister in California. He had organized his own services, everything from the obituary to the service. People would say after it was one of the best services they had been to, while there were tears there was a lot more laughter. Leave it to my dad to for that! He always encourage me to do what made me happy so I hope that he is proud of me. Miss and love you, Dad.