Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads-Mista, Mr. P&P...and all the Moms that are both Mom and Dad.
Both Mr. P&P and I have lost our Dads and I didn't get to know his (he passed before I met my husband). But, I wanted to take a few moments to tell you a bit about my Dad-RSB, Sr.
Many times in class I've told you that my Dad died, at age 47, of heart disease. I've told you he smoked like a chimney and probably had high blood pressure and cholestrol...but I haven't told you about *him*.
My Dad looked really tough, in fact, just prior to his passing, he sported a Foo Man Choo (not sure if the spelling is right) mustache. But, he was a marshmallow inside (this is where I get my personality). They called him 'Sargeant' (you know, like you all call me). He played chess, was smart as a whip and was funny. Really funny. Oh and he wrote poetry...he'd probably hate me to post THAT on the internet!
Years ago (in the 70's) he told us, "One day kids, you'll hold a computer in your hand. Everyone will have one in their house, in their car...you'll see." We kids thought he was a nut ball. Back then, computers were the size of entire rooms and there was no internet, home computer or cell phone. Well, he was right of course. I'm typing this on my laptop but I could easily be doing it on my Blackberry. Chalk another prediction up to my Dad. He made many-mostly about computers, which was his business.
In High School, I worked at Mickey D's in the drive-thru. I worked the closing shift Fri and Sat nights because I was really organized, fast and, well, anal about getting things done right. (Yeah, well, that really hasn't changed I guess!) Anyway, even though I got my driver's license at 13 (yes, in MT that's when you get your real license-not just your permit) and drove myself to work, he'd come around 10pm each Friday and Saturday night and sit in the dining room while I finished working until 11pm. (That was when Mickey D's restaurants actually closed-they are now mostly open 24 hours!) Anyway, he'd sit there, drinking his coffee and keeping an eye on me. Then, he'd wait until we were done closing and follow me home (my parents were divorced so he didn't live with us), making sure I was safe. It might sound odd, but I always thought it was so sweet. He trusted me, don't get me wrong, he just didn't trust other drivers on the road around his baby!
One night when I was working the DT (that's fast food slang for Drive Thru)...I went to slide open the window (they were BIG windows back then-now they're tiny) and whomever was in the car threw some liquid on me. I screamed (it startled me and I didn't know if it was water or acid or what) and my Dad flew out of his seat to catch the car's license plate (and to try and, ahem, 'talk' to the kid). He got the plate but (thank God) didn't catch up with the driver. And, it was water-but it could certainly have been something else...and dangerous. But, my Dad was there and I was ok so all was well. He was always there protecting me and I always felt safe-just like any child should when Daddy is around.
Only a year or so later my Dad was gone. It happened so fast and, even 28 years later it's hard to believe. One other thing he always told us is that once he went to heaven, he'd visit us as a dragonfly or bird or something, just to be around us and we should look for those signs...whether you believe or not...I do. I see dragonflys that follow me around and really BIG ones, huge in fact. Just like my Dad's huge personality. So, I believe that's for sure.
And today? Well, I have a wisteria bush. It's a beautiful vine that produces purple clustered flowers that look like grape clusters. It smells great and we had a huge one in our SB CA backyard where I grew up. I loved it. I played under it growing up and my bedroom now has those colors. My husband bought me a wisteria bush for my 40th birthday and we keep waiting for it to bloom. It's been 4 years and nothing. The first year we had it the winter was really bad, so it could be a factor-according to the landscaper. So, every Spring I look and wait for blooms. I keep wishing for a wisteria like the one I had growing up.
Well, today is Father's Day and when I took the dog out for a walk before class I saw it...one single clustered bloom on my wisteria (once I figure out how, I post a pic). It had been hiding under the leaves...like a special surprise for me, from my Dad. I'd been thinking a lot about him, as I always do on Father's Day. And you know what? It was pouring rain when I saw it-his favorite kind of weather!
So, I hope you had a great Father's Day, enjoying it with your Dad or remembering him, cuz I sure did!