Whenever I think of you, I get a smile on my face.  You are my Pa from "Little House on the Prairie".  I always thought you looked like Michael Landon when I was growing up. 

I have always loved to be near you.  It didn't matter what we were doing, I just wanted to be in your presence.  I was secretly jealous of all the fishing and duck hunting trips my brothers got to go on.  I am sure I let my feelings known because I can remember a few fishing trips that I got to tag along on with you and my Uncles. 

I loved driving down to Newport Beach early in the morning sandwiched in between you and Uncle Rick sipping your coffee from a thermos and listening to 50's music.  Even more fun was sitting in the tiny motor dingy that you rented and cruising the bay searching for just the right fishing spot.  I delighted in sitting with you and whoever else could fit into the boat and listening to your stories.  Looking back, I think of how sweet you and my Uncles were to allow the little curly haired girl hang out with you.  They were rough around the edges but were so very sweet and kind to me. 

I can remember one trip when I was in second grade and you insisted I stand up in the little blue dingy and recite a poem that I had recently won a blue ribbon for in a speech meet.  I was absolutely mortified but you and my Uncles insisted.  There I was standing up, trying to keep my balance, reciting "The Butterfly and the Caterpillar"; hand motions and all.  Everyone sat watching  intently, eating their tuna sandwiches with huge smiles on their faces.  You were beaming with pride for your little girl.  A thunder of  applause filled the bay when I finished. 

I have many memories of spending time with you and they are all tucked away in my heart.  (Fathers don't realize the impact that they have on their little girls; it is huge.)  I remember hopping into your truck and bidding jobs with you, going up to "Stoovies" for rootbeer floats, Sunday drives to the beach, eating at The Jolly Roger, Vegas trips, you piling our entire neighborhood into the back of your truck and driving to Farrel's Ice Cream Parlour, the sound of your truck roaring up the driveway and me running out to greet you (you always saying "be careful, I am so dirty" when  I could have cared less), a special lunch at the mall where you bought me a gold necklace with a "G" for the charm, my first soccer practice in 5th grade; I was so nervous but you just said "Go on Gina and get in there" while you chatted with the coach,  you never missed a game.  I don't think you ever missed any of my sports games, cheerleading meets, speech meets, etc.  You  always made an effort to support me from the sidelines. 

I am so blessed to be the daughter of a hard working, intelligent, kind, compassionate and warm man.  You mean so much to me Dad and I am  blessed and honored to share a piece of you.  I hold it carefully with delicate hands protecting it.  I hope your year is filled with health, happiness and love.  Happy Birthday!
 

Did I actually write an entire essay about you without mentioning your Los Angeles Kings?!   Horrors!  Go Kings!!!!