A Special Day Remembered

Today is July 5. The day after the celebration of Independence for the US, but for me it is a fun remembered day as it was my dad’s birthday.

I remembered his favorite cake was a caramel cake – I think it was a white cake with a caramel type icing. And we also had a few left over fireworks along with the long standing hamburgers on the grill. He had this neat contraption that held all burgers in a wire grid and a handle and you could flip them all at the same time. I thought it was fabulous but have never seen another one.

The many fun trips we made on the rivers of Florida in our boat have wonderful memories as well. Was he perfect?  No, far from it but at some time you just have to let the negative crap go and focus on the great memories. And although each child has a different remembrance of their time with their parents, you can generally hang on to a few of the great fun times and let that be the memory to hold fast to. For me there were a lot. I was the youngest so I actually got to spend more fun time with my dad that my siblings. So this day, his birthday, I honor him even though cancer took him from us over 20 years ago.

This is the smile I remember in  a place he loved the best, our house in Florida. Happy Birthday Daddy. You are still greatly loved.

Remember how much a smile can make you smile and smile often. It is contagious, so smile and be kind.