Day 1101

Gus and I enjoyed a lovely morning at Walker Senior Living. Our friends there are welcoming and so appreciative.

On the wall, by the dining area, there is a picture of my dad. Today, on what would have been his 109th birthday, I stopped and spent a few moments letting my heart embrace this amazing man. Before moving on, Gus even seemed to look at the picture with longing…I miss that man every day.

Looking back over the years, I marvel at the hard work and tenacity it took to be successful in the food business. To begin, Dad and Mom actually cleaned out an old sheep shed for the drive-in! After gaining everything that was needed to open, they welcomed guests who drove their cars up to order. Highway 10 went right past their doors, so the business was a hit!

Since “The Cottage” was followed by the addition of the Dairy Queen, they ran two restaurants for a while. Both being somewhat seasonal, they would take the refrigerator out of their small apartment to use during the summer months. Dad would leave early in the morning to clean everything to a beautiful shine and then Mom would join him to help fry the burgers. They worked side-by-side until closing late at night.

A few years latet, when I was little, I remember Dad arriving home from his day at the Dairy Queen (the Cottage had closed by then) late at night…usually midnight. Mom would have a pot of coffee, sandwiches and chips ready when he walked in the door. If I was lucky, I was invited in to share in the meal. Those were magical times!

During the winter months, Dad was simply at our beck-and-call. He would play endless games, read to us, sit at the skating rink so we could warm up in the car, drive us to school and back and offer any other act of love he could. How lucky to have my very own “Father Knows Best” for my very own dad.

As an adult, he became my dearest friend and closest confidant. I knew how blessed I was to have him in my life.

We all have people in our lives who make a huge impact on who we become. Most of us do not actually choose them, but fate puts us together. Parent, friend, colleague or any other individual who touches our lives for the better, resides in our hearts even when we are separated in life. Happy Birthday, Dad. Your presence in my life and in my heart are treasured gifts.

…And he loved dogs!