Dad Turns Eighty

My father turned eighty years old today.  Hard to believe.  I think of my Dad as never changing.  There are so many things about my father that I appreciate, but here is a smattering:

1. His commitment to his kids.  My father supported me and encouraged me throughout my life and still does. 
2. His sense of humor – while some of the jokes and statements gets very repetitive over time, he is always full of life.
3. His wicked memory – his mind is sharp as a tact.  He can remember things in my life that I can’t remember.  Sometimes they get embellished over time, but at least they are somewhat factual.  He competes on Jeopardy and can give Debsue a run for her money in knowledge of useless facts.
4. His active life – he is still plays tennis, golf, bridge.  He has always been active.  It was really tough to see him a few years ago on the sidelines with a torn Achilles tendon.  But he came back in record time and has been back on the courts.  He reminds me that he keeps moving up the rankings in tennis and I remind him back that the older he gets the more he will by attrition move up the rankings. 
5. His eccentricity – my father is quite different in a fun sort of way.  If you talked to my dad, you would never know that he has a Phd, law degree, and masters degree.  Not that you wouldn’t think he is smart, but he comes across as quirky fun, not snobbish. 

While we are far apart, I never feel completely apart from my father.  I know he is there for me.  I love you Dad!!