Remembering Dad

Another hot and humid morning. Today is my Dad's birthday and he has been in Heaven for 13 years (Jan 4th 2000). It's hard to believe it's been that long. Sometimes I think what things would be like if he were still here and healthy. I think Jordan (my son) would have traveled a better path as Pepe was the tower of strength and guidance for him as a child. His death truly effected him in monumental ways....as it did for all of us but being seven or eight the impact is hard to take. I know my relationship with him would have grown so much stronger. As I grew up it always felt safer once Dad arrived home and the whole family was together. I'm sure my parents went through tough times, financial and otherwise, but they stayed together and we never ever even heard an argument. Funny how memories flood in when you sit and ponder. I can still hear and smell the bacon cooking and one large pan, a huge pancake sat as Michelle and I would walk in on a Saturday morning. He could flip that damn thing like a pro. I remember watching Julie Child's on PBS Sunday...he really enjoyed watching her make a mess and just pushing everything off the counter..LOL Picnic's and Family Day drives - The smell of tar and oil on his cloths when he worked for Norwich Public Works in a strange way was comforting. A few years ago when I was living in Cromwell, I walked into a gas station as another person was walking out...Could have been my fathers twin and he had that same scent of oil and tar - same work shirt - heavy set and blonde hair...I almost dropped as my heart nearly jumped out of my chest thinking I just saw Dad alive. Wow, I haven't thought of that in years. Crazy right? Old Spice cologne - always think of Dad when I smell the Old Spice. when we were young my sister and I would jump and tackle Dad as he tried desperately to watch a television show laying on the floor with his head propped up by one elbow and hand. Mom would sit watching and laughing. Other times he would dare us and say, "You think you can make it up the stairs?".... From the living room you had to open a door to then turn right and run up 13 very steep stairs to the second floor. His whole thing was giving us a head start and then just as we thought he couldn't possibly get us... on the 8th stair he was out of his chair and you felt his large hand around your ankle...OH NO!!! And then the inevitable dragging us slowly back down ..... OMG it really was more crazy and fun than I can express here...we never made it up to the top. The guitar playing with country music in the background. There are so many memories..these are just a few I was picturing as my coffee went stone cold this morning. If you have anything you would like to add... please follow my blog and post. Have a Wonderful Saturday Norm K.