I REMEMBER

I SENT THIS TO MY DAD ON FATHERS DAY 1994. I SURE MISS HIM.

I REMEMBER

I REMEMBER THE WIND BLOWING IN MY FACE AS YOU RODE THAT HARLEY WITH THE SMALL BOY HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

I REMEMBER A LATE NIGHT JOURNEY IN A DUMP TRUCK AS YOU WORKED HARD TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR YOUNG FAMILY.

I REMEMBER WHEN MY CHARTER BOAT FISHING TRIP FELL SHORT OF MONEY YOU QUIETLY PAID THE SKIPPER. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

I REMEMBER BEING THE PROUDEST BOY THERE WHEN YOU TOOK ME TO THE FATHER-SON BANQUET TO HEAR A CHRISTIAN PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER NAMED BILL GLASS SPEAK.

I REMEMBER WHEN A CROOK TRIED TO CHEAT ME OUT OF MY PAYCHECK AND SUE ME, YOU HIRED THE BEST LAWYER IN TOWN FOR ME.

I REMEMBER THE TRIPS TO PENNSYLVANIA IN THE BLACK JEEP ROARING DOWN I-90 AND RT 6N. THOSE WERE SPECIAL TIMES.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS HOTRODING YOUR 66 GTO ON SNOW AND ICE AND PUT A DENT IN IT. YOU NEVER SAID A WORD.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU LAID IN YOUR BED WITH TEA BAGS ON YOUR BURNT EYES FROM WELDING AT YOUR JOB. YOU NEVER COMPLAINED.

I REMEMBER EATING PANCAKES AND EGGS WITH YOU AND BOB IN YOUNGSVILLE PENNSYLVANIA SURROUNDED BY OLD MEN IN FLANNEL SHIRTS AND WOOL RED CAPS.

I REMEMBER RIDING TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A BROKEN ARM RESTING ON A PILLOW AS YOU SHOWED DRIVING SKILL THAT WOULD HAVE MADE RICHARD PETTY ENVIOUS.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU INTRODUCED ME TO FINE BLACK MEN LIKE CHARLIE JACKSON AND CHARLIE NELSON AND TAUGHT ME NOT TO BE PREJUDICED.

I REMEMBER ICE CREAM CONES FOR EVERYBODY AT 58 AND 20 ON OUR WAY HOME FROM BOB AND HALLIES.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU BOUGHT THREE YOUNG CHILDREN THREE BRAND NEW BLUE AMF RENEGADE BICYCLES.

I REMEMBER STANDING IN AWE WHEN YOU TOOK US TO WATCH THAT GIANT ORE BOAT SLIDE OUT OF DRY DOCK.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU TOOK TIME TO WELD AND MODIFY THE FRAME ON MY 400 HUSQVARNA DIRT BIKE.

I REMEMBER THAT I WOULDN’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCREWDRIVER AND A PAIR OF PLIERS IF YOU HADN’T TAUGHT ME ABOUT TOOLS.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU BOUGHT ME THE 1964 CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK AND THE 1968 PLYMOUTH AND NEVER GOT A DIME.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS TEN YEARS OLD HOW YOU KEPT YOUR COOL ON LAKE ERIE WHEN THE WAVES GOT OVER TEN FEET WHILE ON VACATION.

I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WENT TO GENERAL MOTORS DETROIT DIESEL SCHOOL AND GRADUATED AT THE TOP OF YOUR CLASS AND MADE ME SO PROUD.

I REMEMBER THE BUILDING SET WITH PLASTIC GIRDERS YOU BOUGHT ME FOR CHRISTMAS WHEN I WAS EIGHT.

I REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE MAN WHO TAUGHT ME TO SAFELY DRIVE A TRUCK.

I REMEMBER SITTING ON A HILL IN THE COUNTRY WITH YOU WHILE ALLISON ENGINES SCREAMED AS WE WATCHED AN OIL WELL BEING FRACTURED.

I REMEMBER YOU WORKING TWO JOBS AT TIMES SO THAT WE ALWAYS HAD FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WANTED TO COME HOME AFTER TAKING THE WRONG FORK IN THE ROAD, YOU WELCOMED ME BACK LIKE I WAS THE PRODIGAL SON IN THE BIBLE.

I REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE AND ARE THE GREATEST DAD!