Dad,

Where to begin.....  I remember moving around a lot, not happy most times, because we were always leaving friends behind and had to make new ones on the fly. I didn't like it at the time. But looking back throughout the years, it has made me a better and stronger person. I was shy back then, but it challenged me to make new friends. I have learned to take the good with the bad. Looking back, just as much as we had to sacrifice some, you had to sacrifice also.

As much as your worked long hours to support us, you always found a way to support me in my activities. If it wasn't Indian Guides, to Boy Scouts, or helping coach some of my basketball, baseball, or soccer teams, you found a way. I can still remember early on, when I was around 7 or so, how you would come home after 10 hour days and still throw the baseball around with me. If it was hitting grounders to me or having some batting practice. You sacrificed your nights and weekends for me and I thank you for that.

I remember our first camping trip in Texas, that you went fishing with me. I caught a small little perch. You taught me that we should eat what we catch. I just wish it had been a tuna instead.

As I got older, I remember some of those times that we shared while watching M.A.S.H together almost every night at 7 pm. Sometimes it was All in the Family with Archie Bunker, or even some of your favorites such as Laurel & Hardy. To this day, I try and watch M.A.S.H almost 3 times a day, thanks to such channels as the Hallmark channel or TV Land.

To this day, I can still remember the day that I left for the Army. I can remember the little white van picking me up at 6 am in the morning and how you gave me a hug prior to me leaving. Most of all, I still remember those little tears that you had shed as we said our goodbyes.

No matter what I did in life, you always stood by me. You were leery of my decisions when I first got into the mortgage industry 15 years ago, because I was changing mortgage companies every so often. Not knowing that I was looking for a good company not only for myself, but for my potential clients. You had been a one company man for almost 30 years and it took a while for you to understand. But you made an effort because you cared.

Dad, overall, we have had some good times and some not so good times. You have told me that you love me, but haven't always liked me for some of the decisions that I have made. Yet, you are my father and I am still your son. And you haven't let me forget that. I have always been proud of you and I love you..... 

I look forward to spending time with you today and hopefully some golf in the near future.

Happy Father's Day, Love Jeff, your son.......