Happy Father's Day, Dad!

This is my favorite baby picture of my dad (he's the baby:) He just looks so happy and goofy. That one look explains my dad's personality. He is loving, fun and everyone's friend.

My dad recently broke his arm. He and my brother, Spencer, were moving a couch down the stairs. He was on the lower end of the couch, lost his grip and was thrown down the stairs. My dad said his arm was in a "S" the way his bones had broken. Poor dad. So they went to the emergency room and the doctor set his arm.

My dad has a flair for telling stories. And this was a good one. To set his arm back into place, my dad explained that the doctor puts his fingers in a chinese finger contraption that hung from the ceiling. So his fingers were secured and then they dangled a Weight from his broken arm! It makes me shudder to think about it. And the doctor just came up without warning and grappled and worked the bone back into place. It makes me sick. He is so brave.

The doctors then asked him, "What color do you want for your cast? Laker purple or Dodger blue?" haha. That's a pretty tough choice for my dad, but he went with the Dodger blue. The cast doesnt just go to the elbow like most peoples'. His cast extends over the elbow, so his arm has been bent now for about 3 weeks. I get claustrophobic and anxious a little too easily and having to wear a cast like that would drive me to hyperventalization. Just the knowledge that I couldn't bend my arm would freak me out and having me crying for a paper bag.

What stinks about the whole accident is that now my dad can't compete in the Malibu Triatholon that he's been training over a year for. He is pretty bummed out about it. But he is still positive through it and laughs along.

That's one of the things that I admire most about him. He laughs and jokes through the hard times. He is a wonderful example of choosing to be happy.

Scott and I were in Valencia for my brother's high school graduation a couple days after the accident. We went to CPK after the graduation with the Martin's. It was so hilarious and sad to watch my dad try to butter his bread with one hand. The bread kept moving all around the plate, and my dad's expression was so defeated. Even though he was frustrated he just smiled. I asked him if he wanted some help and he said, "Nope. I got it." Well, the bread kept moving and we all burst into laughter.

The next day, as my mom was getting him dressed he suddenly stopped and had this horrified look on his face. "What happens if I have to go to the bathroom at work?!" haha. We all cracked up again, but my dad was really worried. He said he would just have to find a way to unbutton and unzip his pants by himself. And I am happy to report that he did indeed unbutton and unzip his pants all by himself.

Memories of my dad are always happy and silly and fun. He brings laughter to my family. He loves when we were are happy and has always made time for us. There has never been a time when I wished I saw my dad more or wished that he paid attention to me. I've always felt special, noticed and loved by him. I've always felt safe and supported by him.

Thank you dad for being my hero. Thank you for playing with me. Thank you for cheering for me at Hart football games (even though I was embarassed:). Thank you for all you do for Scott and me. Thank you for being the best dad I could have ever asked for.

I love you Dad!