Today is my father's birthday. We are most likely celebrating with a batch of brownies topped with a tealight candle... because that's what we do every year when we are in Mexico on this special day.
My father is a special soul. He is a wanderer, an adventurer, a seeker. He is a skier, a fisherman and a kayaker. But more than that, he is a father and a husband, a brother and a friend. He is a retired school teacher... and I know it would be a challenge to find one student whom he didn't change in some positive way with his spirit and love he gave so freely to all that crossed his path.
One of my favorite things to do with my father is go fishing. It's a rare time I get to be alone with him. My favorite spot is one where we have to walk across a big hay field to get to the cool river lined with tall poplars. In the background are rolling hills glowing golden in the late afternoon light. I remember years ago, watching him come through the tall grass, rod on his shoulder, straw hat on his head, whistling as he takes it all in... dog bounding ahead with a smile on his face. That to me is the core of my father. He is the one that taught me to suck every moment clean of the beauty and love, to cherish every precious second. To practice gratitude. Heaven is here on earth, in those moments. So as we stand in the middle of the river, the cool water circling our ankles and rushing over river rocks a million different shades... I feel so connected to him, because I know that he, too, is filled with so much... love for life.
Thank you dad, for all the precious gifts you gave me... xoxo
