This One's for You, Dad

Although you won't be going through chemo and I can't be with you while you go through these tough times, I felt that I could do something small that will remind me of you and what you will endure every day.

I shaved my head.
I guess you can call it a form of symbolism. I call it trying to relate. I know what I'm going through with the awkwardness of looking at my white dome, the funny looks from passersby, the comments from co-workers and friends are not even close to comparable to the seriousness of what you will be going through for the next few months and possibly (hopefully not) years of your life.

This is the least I could do to let you know that I'm pulling for you and thinking of you everyday.

You know, Sara & Matt make fun of me not only for looking like you, but having similar mannerisms. For years it has been their trump to anything I would make fun of them about. Nobody wants to be like their parents when they are young.

But you know what Dad? You are, and have always been a great father to all of us, even to children that weren't your own. You have always been willing to help others in life. I mean, you even put up with Marky when he wanted to learn how to play every sport that Sara & Matt played. Somehow, someway, you made time to make your way to, or at least make an attempt to attend your three kids' athletic games even when they were in three different, distant locations on the same day.

You worked your ass off in order for your children to be able to play any sport they wanted. I want you to know that we all understand the extra hours you must have put in so that we could play club soccer and baseball and go to tournaments on the weekends. And what's more, you were always there.

When we go out around Wau-Town you are a freakin' hero to so many younger guys. I see these kids come running up to you and they just want to talk about old times when they were growing up and hang out with you. I hardly know who half of them are but I just assume that you coached them in baseball. You know, not every dad gets that kind of response from a kid. You are a pretty freakin' special guy.

I'm proud to be like you, Dad.

Peace, Keep it real...You know the rest.

Now get your ass out to Colorado like you've always wanted to do!