Thur's no muny like us - an they're a' deed!

Yesterday was Thursday. Thursday, February 21st to be exact. It was an uneventful day. Totally normal in every aspect. No major news. No big announcements. Not really worth mentioning. Except... that two years ago, on another February 21st, I kissed my father for the last time, I told him I loved him for the last time, and I watched him as he slipped the bonds of his ragged, battered, beleaguered body and kissed the face of God.

I can't explain how much I miss him. He is the reason I am the man that I am. He may not have had the education, the style, or much else others desire, but he had a heart full of love, a head full of dreams, and a soul full of genuine kindness. He could be incredibly stubborn, opinionated, and even down-right annoying, but everything he did - he did it for or with us. He loved trains, planes and automobiles. He liked to fish, hunt and garden. He loved to swing a hammer, swing dance and swing us in his arms. He could be cute and embarrassing all at the same time. He loved the attention but never sought the credit. He worked hard, played hard, and at times, celebrated hard. He gave soft, warm hugs and was a closet romantic who adored our mother till the day he died. Above all he was my dad. I will always miss him.

"G' oan yer sel' wee man!"