[Emimily]

it's been 6 and a half months since my dad died. i want to share about him.

my dad was larger than life. he rocked this big 80s glasses and a moustache the whole 23 years i knew him. he loved to cut the grass in the summer, regardless of the heat. he talked to every person he saw - waitresses, bank tellers, grocery store clerks, you name it. i got that from him.

he always wore a feather on a chain around his neck and a silver i.d. bracelet. he had dentures. he had dark brown hair, when he had hair, and brown eyes. he was 5'10". he had a big belly, depsite the fact that he quit drinking decades ago. he wore ridiculous red shorts in the summertime. he always dressed for work - always. he loved ballcaps.

he was a devils fan, a giants fan, and a yankees fan. he loved college football. his favorite was tiki barber (my brother went to UVA). he liked college basketball. he taught me how to play tennis and he taught me how to catch and he taught me how to ice skate. he would get all the other little kids around us involved in whatever game we were playing at the pool. he loved the beach.

he called me "bum", but he did it endearingly. every time i saw him, he'd say "hiya bum!" he told all of us he loved us, yes yes yes. it didn't matter what he was doing, he'd put it down. he loved pizza. he made the best spaghetti sauce in the world. he loved pineapple yogurt, but since my oldest niece did too, he'd let her have first dibs. he hugged you with his whole heart, not just his arms.

he loved neckties and suspenders. he wore slippers. i used to rub his feet when his neuropathy made them numb. he showed me how to do crosswords and he let me help him with his. he loved old movies, especially james dean. his favorite was east of eden, which we watched together.

he loved recovery. he loved recovering alcoholics and addicts. he lived and breathed the treatment center he was the director of - he made that place a success. he was the first person i'd go to with AA questions. he gave me my 90 day chip.

he loved his kids and his grandkids with every fiber of his being. he loved everyone, just about. he loved dogs, he LOVED dogs. he paid for my dog's spay when i couldn't afford it.

he was super left wing. he fought for the little guy. he believed in god. he never ever lost the faith that god's in charge, and that god is good, all the time.

i miss him. but i feel a little better now. i love you, daddy, yes yes yes.