My dad is a lot of fun. He's always had a great sense of humor, a playful nature and a love for adventure. Growing up I had the good fortune of working with my dad as a paper delivery boy and a contractor's assistant. My dad taught me how to play baseball, pitch, field ground balls, hit a baseball and steal bases. Though I did not have the best speed on the team, my dad taught me to cleverly steal bases. He showed me how to catch people asleep on the field and properly time a steal. Because of my dad's coaching my little league teams which I played on came in first place twice. Though I didn't have the size of other kids, I had the smarts and talent thanks to my dad's skillful coaching. My pop's went to Delaney Elementary and Boone High School when he was a youngster. He apparently acquired the nickname "Bo Dad" during his high school days. He played football for the Boone and was a linebacker. One of his high school year books called him the "monster man." My dad took me on a few fishing trips when I was younger. We once got a canoe and journeyed down a river. Another time he took the family out deep sea fishing where we caught lots of trout, which was quite fun. One thanksgiving day we sat out at our little lake adjacent to the state park and filled a basket with brim which we caught off of the dock. One funny story I recall is when my dad wanted to show me how he could pole vault. We were out in the country by the state park (during our time living in a mobile home, which we call "the trailer"), when dad said, "You want to see me pole vault?" I was a bit dumbfounded not knowing what he was talking about. Then he showed me an old tree stick that he was preparing to use to go over a barbed wire fence. I was a bit puzzled and tried to discourage him, but good old dad was "feeling his oats" that day. He got a running start, put his pole (tree stick) in the ground and prepared to thrust off it to maneuver himself over the barbed wire fence. It was then the stick snapped in half and "Bo Dad" was tumbling down on the barbed wire. It was a hot day and dad wasn't wearing a shirt. He got some pretty deep gouges that day and drew quite a bit of blood too. I won't tell you what choice words he shouted when he came barreling down on the barbed wire and hurt himself. Yet I can tell you this, being around my dad is never boring. You can always count on him to entertain you by what he does and says. I best remember my dad with a happy-go-lucky smile on his face. I see myself to be quite a bit like him, with a positive attitude and uplifting disposition. He gave me the gift of laughter which I cherish to this day. |
