Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

It’s been a long time since I've written to you and I just wanted to catch you up to date on a few things that have happened. It’s approaching summer here in Phoenix and the elongated days simply serve to bake the old brains longer. We have been fortunate that the extreme temps have not yet arrived. I was in the pool today for the first time this year and was enjoying listening to the Diamondbacks playing the Dodgers.

 I remember going to those Giants games and watching Juan Marichal and Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Yes dad, I know two of those guys were Dodgers but the Giants had to play somebody. Who could forget the “Say Hey Kid” and those impossible basket catches. I remember one time trying the same catch and catching the ball with my head. I know you preferred the Tigers but you took me to California where I grew up a Giants fan. I still follow the Tigers for you dad, except that Rod Allen guy is really annoying to listen to. I’m just glad he left the Diamondbacks for Detroit.

I was thinking today of all those times when you took us camping. I know you didn’t make much as a government employee but I always thought your job was amazing. I mean, who gets to travel at government expense and evaluate property, historic sites, and wilderness areas which are going to become recreation sites for future generations.

It was kind of prophetic of you to stop in Needles California on that long ago summer when we slogged through the southwest without air conditioning. I remember it was so hot the asphalt was melting. Who would have thought I would have ended up living in Phoenix?

I still have an appreciation for nature that you taught me. We have a cactus wren living in the jumping cholla out front and two doves living in a nest in our grapes, and while in the pool I just noticed a black widow spider living on the underside of the pool siding. Sorry dad, the black widow can’t stay but the birds are welcome.

Dad, I know your heart must be with the soldiers fighting for our freedom across the globe. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to go to war like you did in Korea. I know as a Naval officer you said you never felt your life was in danger but I'm sure mom worried about you.

I still think back to the old 8MM film you shot of a destroyer next to your ship in rough seas. As a small child I thought at first the destroyer must have been a submarine because it seemed to never be above the water. I can still recall the images of the pictures you shot as your ship passed under the Golden Gate Bridge when you were returning from Korea. You never talked about that moment but I could always sense a difference in your mood each time we played that piece of film.

I remember the day that Monday morning in June when you drove off. You were off on a job to evaluate the impact of planned infrastructure in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You were happy because the first time in twenty-two years of government service you finally got a car with air conditioning. I was the last to say good-bye to you and I gave you a big hug and told you I loved you. You returned with an I love you and got in the car and drove away.

Would we have said anything different if we had known that would have been the final good-bye? I suppose we could have talked about your love of education and your feeling that going to college was mandatory not optional. Dad, as you know I have three college degrees and was working on a doctorate when I had to take a break.

We could  have talked about how it’s important to stand up for others when they are incapable of standing up for themselves. Dad, I work as a Nurse Practitioner and take care of over 100 nursing home patients. If I don’t fight for them who will?

We could have talked about your love for the outdoors, nature, and protecting the planet from pointless destruction. Dad, I lived for 12 years in Alaska. I have been almost to the North Pole on research vessels. I’ve been able to witness polar bears play with ship buoys like they were toys. I have watched orcas, gray whales, otters, seals, moose, and caribou in the thousands migrate across the north slope of Alaska. I’ve watched bald eagles nest along Cook Inlet as thick as sparrows returning to Capistrano.

We could have talked about what happens when a country is at war. Dad, what would you say? Support the troops and the president? You probably haven’t seen my wifes blog post showing the support the troop’s rally I went too last week. What is a blog? You say. We’ll talk about that together in the future.

We could have talked about working hard and being responsible. Dad, I have three jobs and try to treat others as I would like to be treated.

When it comes down to it dad, we said all there was to say to each other. I know you love me and you know I love you. What more can one say? Who you are taught me much more than any words we could have uttered to each other.

Dad, I have a question for you. After you died while in the service of the government, the government ended up not paying us a thing for your twenty-two years of service. It pisses me off but that’s not what I have to ask you about. After you died the government placed a plaque on the wall of the Federal Building in San Francisco commemorating your service and sacrifice to the United States. When Reagan disbanded your department they pulled the plaque from the Federal Building lobby and mailed it to mom. When she became unable to care for it anymore she sent it to me. I hung it on the wall of my home where I can see it everyday when I head out for work. Do you want me to do anything with it or should I leave it hidden away in my tiny home?

Well dad it’s been far too long since I’ve written to you but maybe I’ll get around to it more often now.

Love Always

Your Son

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit