...but ALWAYS REMEMBER, no matter how hectic or time consuming it is -- OUR CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING, NOT A BURDEN!!! And when you hear, "Hey, Dad (or Mom)..." drop whatever it is you're doing and give him or her your undivided attention...

Love you guys and gals! Thank y'all for everything!!!

When I was 15, my older brother asked me to move the family station wagon out of the driveway so he could get his car out from under the carport which was in front of the station wagon. I backed the station wagon out and Frank drove off. I pulled the station wagon back into the carport and was careful not to hit the brick of the house  which was on the driver's side of the car. In doing so I clipped one of the three posts that supported the right side of the carport, knocking it off the concrete footing and causing the ceiling of the carport to shift and crack. OH #badword#! What made matters worse was that I put a nice dent in the right front fender of our new car. I walked into the house, saw dad drinking his coffee and told him what happened. Dad went outside with me and looked at the damage then looked at me. I was about to piss my pants. Then dad said, "Son, how about you and I fix the carport today?" Oh man, talk about a bonding moment!

About 15 years ago I wrote my dad a letter- pen and paper- listing the Top Ten Memories of my Father and listed that as one of them. Mom called me after he received the letter and asked me what I sent dad 'cause after dad started reading the letter he had to leave the room because he was tearing up.

My dad has been gone for 7 years now. He was a helluva guy.