I don’t always get to spend Father’s Day with my father. For a while now, he’s been spending Father’s Day watching volleyball usually in another state far far away. Even though this year, he was only going to be in San Antonio watching bikinis volleyball, you can imagine how excited I was to hear the tournament was canceled.

This year, I got my dad on Father’s Day.

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Father’s Day with Pops

His first question was, “What do you want to do?”

I replied, “Your day. Your way,” and braced myself for making an impromptu volleyball court somewhere and having to play endless amounts of the game in scorching 103° heat. Thankfully, he suggested going to the back of the property and just hanging out underneath an Oak.

Tricia had made plans months earlier to camp out in Edna—when we thought Dad would be watching the sand courts somewhere. So she wasn’t with us. I thought it was just going to be Dad, Beverly, John and myself and our families. Surprisingly, Dad arranged for a bunch of other people to be there too. He invited his sister, JoAnn and her granddaughter Gigi, good friends, Mr. & Mrs. Henry, his cousins, Kelly & Grace and their daughter, his nephew, Greg, John’s employee Rosilio and his family. Eventually some of Dad’s grandchildren even showed up.

It was a nice day… a nice, hot day. I’m thankful the wind was blowing pretty good and I’m thankful for this Oak.

John was the pit man for the day. He did an excellent job! BBQ chicken was perfect!

Dad had to check Facebooks a few times.

I can guarantee you John was not checking Facebooks.

Dad escorted his sister back to her car. Aunt JoAnn was ready to take a nap. She reminds me so much of my dear Memaw. She’s such a sweet, resilient soul.

I realize I’m a 47-year-old woman and not an adolescent, but spending Father’s Day with my father is very important to me. I love my dad with all my heart. I’ve been motherless for 26 years and I am not ready for the day I will also be fatherless. I know that Father’s Day is pretty much like any other day of the year, but for some reason, I feel compelled to spend this day with him. Maybe I am selfish. So what? He has 361 other days to watch bikinis and volleyball—Father’s Day, his birthday, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are off limits!!

I hope he enjoyed his day!!

I hope next year’s Father’s Day is a lot like this one, except I’ll take more pictures. 🙁 

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