What are some great memories that I have of my Dad? That was the request made to all of us children on the occasion of his 85th birthday. Here are a few that immediately spring to mind:
-Trying to wow him with something I learned at school. I never could. He always knew more about it than anyone else. Quite possibly more than anyone ever wanted to know. On the plus side, he was my ace-in-the-hole when I had a paper to write.
-Killing the copperhead snake in our backyard with a shovel. This from a man who would carefully catch spiders in our house and take them outside (so they could live to breed another day), while saying, "Spiders are our friends." So I was impressed as well as a little bit traumatized. Sadly I did not inherit this gene. I kill all insect interlopers with no compunction.
-Hearing his car drive up and turning the TV off, praying the little circle of light on the screen would go out before he came in the room and fanning the bulbs in the back so he wouldn't feel the warmth and know that we had been losing brain cells watching "The Man From Uncle" or "Get Smart."
-Traveling with Dad, who transformed into "Vacation-man" as soon as we headed down the driveway. Armed with maps carefully plotted out during the year, he gleefully hit as many points of historical and geographical interest as possible that happened to intersect our route. Desperately trying to wake us up as we passed over bridges and landmarks. Singing crazy songs and biting on his knuckles so he could drive through the night to save money. I think traveling was when he was the happiest. That and:
-Christmas. He was always jolly at Christmas time. A right jolly old elf. He always believed in Santa, and so we did too. My favorite Christmas was the year that just when we thought there were no more presents, someone found a little plastic Santa boot filled with baby items. That's how it was announced that my sister Linda was on the way. Best Christmas present anyone ever got! I think he had something to do with that one too.
-In more recent years, I have admired his loyalty and tenderness to Mom during her illness, his dedication to gaining knowledge, his efforts to stay healthy, his transformation into a patient man, and his willingness to support Susan in her projects and do homemaking chores. The latter is probably the most mind-boggling to me.
-Last but not least, I'm pretty sure he was entering 5Ks up into his 70's. Because of that, I can't quit just yet. And here's a picture to prove it.
His Favorite Oldest Daughter Susanne (not Susan or Suzanne) (last name "Black Evans," not "Evans Black." When a man's head is stuffed with so many facts, he can't be expected to remember the details.
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