Reflections

Today is my Mother's 67th birthday. I called her today to wish her a happy birthday and we spoke for a while and talked about my girls and our upcoming vacation together.

Those conversations used to not be as enlightening and joyful. You see...this isn't just my Mom's birthday, but it's also the 17th anniversary of my Father's passing. He died on my mom's 50th birthday.

To be real honest, I don't think about my Dad that much anymore. I mean, I do think of him, but it's not that often. In all honesty, it's not in my nature. I think about my Dad who's been gone for so many years just about as much as I think about my Mom who lives 10 minutes away.

Sometimes it's something like a smell or a phrase that trigger's it and I immediately harken back to a situation with my father. Katrina last year was a great example because my Dad used to alway complain about New Orleans and the levee systems and how they would fail some day.

But every year on August 30th I take some time out to remember and reflect on who my Dad was and what he meant to me. As a parent and a husband, I learned many things from my Dad. My Dad was an "example" kind of guy. You learned from his example. Sometimes that was good, and sometimes it wasn't...but either way I learned from him. I also inherited his good looks!

Now all I have are the memories that I am able to reflect upon, and the least I can do is give my Dad a whole day just for him.

...