Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Since this is Father's Day, I'd like to say a few things about my Daddy. We seem to "Roast" him all year long, teasing him relentlessly about everything. But, see, that is my Dad. He likes to tease, and joke around. He takes it very well. I always knew I was loved by him when he would tease me. I remember him calling me "Motor Mouth," and I thought that was the funniest thing I had ever heard. Growing up, I had a healthy fear of my father that kids today seem to be lacking. Let me define healthy fear. A healthy fear is where you are afraid to do something wrong, because you are afraid of the consequences. If we all lived by that, the jails would be empty, wouldn't they? On the other hand, I remember when Dad would play games with us, I wouldn't ever want that time to end, it was so much fun. We would laugh until our stomachs hurt. And let's not forget all the "classics" he taught me to appreciate: I remember watching The Ghost and Mr. Chicken at Twin Lakes. And everytime a Charlie Browm special would come on, we would turn out all the lights and watch it.
I remember one Fourth of July, Mom was in the hospital, and Daddy was trying to keep things as normal as possible at home. We popped fireworks.....of course it wasn't the same without Mom, but he tried.
He was a good provider. There were some lean times, I am sure, but ya know, I really don't remember that. I remember moving into my own room at the house they live in now. They let me pick out my own carpet, and I picked purple!
I always seem to tease Dad about some of the things he used to say and do that I thought were silly. He hated us running around in our stocking feet. He woud say, "Take off your socks or put on some shoes!" Now, of course, I know that socks last much longer when you just wear them with your shoes.
We tease him so much about stuff, I just want him to know a couple of things:
1.There is a funny thing about us parents. We are human. We all make mistakes, we all have regrets. Your mistakes are no worse than my mistakes, just different. As long as there is love, any mistake can be forgiven. At least I, as a parent, hope so.

2.If your children grow up with more good memories than bad, you have succeeded. We do what we think is right at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20, but we don't have the benefit of that ahead of time, or it wouldn't be called hindsight, Ha!

So, Daddy, I just want you to know, I DO have tons of good memories, and I knew I was loved. I want you to know you are loved.

I Love You, Daddy!