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Dedicated to
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I think this was what really stunned me about my father; his reach to move beyond petty annoyances and be more positive (something he struggled with for a long time). Dad had always carried sadness around with him. He'd also been very focused on material gains. But as he grew older he began to talk more and more about being happy. He became less impressed with material things (he still liked them, don't get me wrong). But I remember him being more concerned about whether I was happy than how much money I was making. He learned to control his temper. He learned to laugh more. He moved beyond what he had been when I was a child; I was witness to an adult changing and growing.
And let's not forget Dad's coolness factor. His age was often guessed 10 years or younger than he actually was even though he suffered from diabetes and heart disease. He rode motorcycles all of his life, owned a big Harley-Davidson, and took part (in his 60's) in the 100th Anniversary Parade of Harley-Davidson. He spent weekends in winter going snowmobiling with me at a time when my friends' fathers were only playing golf. He got into some songs from New Order. He loved sailing and won many races. He once set up a telescope late at night and showed me Saturn with several of its moons. He did some brilliant paintings when he was younger. He loved fast cars and owned a 1965 Corvette. When he first let me drive it (with him in the car) he encouraged me to rev it up to over 130 mph - and told me I could outrun the police if we were nabbed for speeding.
Dad was an anchor of support. He was a shoulder to lean on. He was a source of wisdom and experience. And, in the end, he was my friend.
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