My Mom had a roast of sorts for my Dad on his birthday. Here is what I said.
‚ I never really understood my father until I became one. I know many people say that, but it is true. When you are young you don’t understand how annoying children can be. Now, I mean that with understanding. Children need repetition and repetition to an adult can be frustrating. I mean green eggs and ham is still funny, but only because I haven’t read it for the last 15 nights in a row. And Uno isn’t nearly as fun as Rook, and I don’t know how many times I have said No red and yellow are not the same color and 9 and 8 don’t match. I mean patience is something that all parents should be given so that they appreciate what they have while their children are young. I know the things that I remember about my times with Dad are going to be different than his, or anyone else’s, but that makes them even more special. Several traits that I know I have inherited are snoring and falling asleep during conversations. Becca can attest that after 9:00 it is hit and miss on whether we should start talking about something. I have fallen asleep in conversations more than I can count. I remember Dad doing the same thing. On the flip side of that I remember Dad being ready to take on the world at 4:30 in the morning, something else I can do.
Fishing, Breakfast on Birthdays, Experimental Food, Shower Singing, Taco Tuesday Gadgetry, and Church Service are all things that we can relate to.
Fishing up at Oak and during the Spring are things that I will always remember. Dad would always grow a beard at Oak and Jason would always catch the most or biggest fish. Dad never let on how frustrating it can be when the person fishing with his pole tip in the water or not paying attention catches fish. I now experience similar things when fishing. Cameron catches the most fish and pays the least amount of attention. He has even caught a Walleye with a bobber and worms 8 feet off shore. I don’t think I have caught one trolling using sparkle tails with a guide.
In Muscatine, I remember that Dad would take me to the Sports Page for Breakfast on my Birthdays. When it closed I believe we changed the tradition to the Country Kitchen Breakfast Buffet, but this one-on-one time was truly special. I don’t remember any conversations, but I know I remember the experience. If we couldn’t do breakfast we would do lunch or dinner at Peking still my favorite chineese restaurant. Watching Dad eat Hot Mustard was a treat.
Thrap Dip different everytime due to the experimental ways in which it is created. I know I have the basic recipie, but it never tastes the same. I do have the same trait of Experimentation, though it is usually with Dixie Dust, Cajun Seasoning or Garlic. Dad is always modifying foods to spice them up or make them more interesting. I will always remember Ravioli, Beffaroni, Chili and Corn. He would mix these cans of food and serve them Looks Gross, but tastes great. I haven’t tried it since, but usually it is because I don’t have beefaroni.
Veit Veit in Fair and The Iron Rod, were Dad classics that could be heard from the shower or just while walking through the room. Good King Wenceslas has become one of my year round songs, not yet in the shower though.
When Spring Break came Mom came up with Dad taking us to Taco Tuesdays as a way to have one-on-one time and cheap taco’s. Dad would have us come and we would eat with his work group and we would feel special. I have been to Taco Tuesday’s since and Taco’s aren’t 2 for a dollar here so times really have changed.
All Thrap Children remember going to school and having to answer the awkward question about Not having a Nintendo and Not being able to watch TV because it was locked. We remember Dad’s attempt to apease the video game need by bringing home pong. We remember the Chunky Cheese Keys and how they always seemed to be hidden in the same place. I also remember rewiring the TV that was locked to my Fathers dismay. I now wish I had a lock for the TV and know why Nintendo was not required for growing up.
I remember Liver and Onions at the Restaurant Dappers being the meal of choice after Muscatine Ward Temple trips. I remember The Big Blue Van and the White Stamler Van using CB radios to communicate while traveling to Chicago. I remember having a tire blowout and changed on the interstate and still making it in time for our Baptism time because we had left with plenty of extra time. I remember Dad coming home and telling us that he would be working at the temple during the month and I remember how impressed I was that he went to his employer and they understood and allowed this service. I remember the time that Mom and Dad spent as tour guides in Nauvoo at it’s Open House. I remember how proud I was to be on Security while he lead a group through. I also remember how special it felt to see my father speaking as a stake leader as a Visitor to the Iowa City 1st Ward.
While my memories are more general than specific I know that I have learned much from my father and that I hope that I can learn more about him and his example as time continues on.
Very touching Josh, you may not believe me, but you ARE a wonderful father and it is obvious that you learned much from your own dad.
Kate
I am envious of your parenting skills. You work so hard every day and still spend time with your children. When I come home from class I am exhausted and don’t feel like doing anything. You must have learned a lot from your dad.
Ok, ditto to what Kate said. I’m also glad to have been a part of some of those memories Josh. Do you remember that I went fishing with you guys at least once, and I remember morning scripture reading at the butt crack of dawn and eating your Dad’s wierd canned fish foods. (I still like pickled herring.) Your dad is a great guy, and not only to his kids, but to everyone. And you are more like him than you know. (I think you may be a bit more tolerant of homosexuals though…)
Also, sorry about all the bugging about lack of TV and Nintendo. You do have to admit it made you guys into boring guests when you went to someone’s house that had a Nintendo. But I do realize what you are talking about. If I let Eva she would stare at PBS for 10 hours a day.
We miss you guys and we want to hang out. We are going to come to Iowa for Thanksgiving and for Christmas, but Candace’s brother will be with us at Christmas, so if we hung out then it would be with one extra person. Tell us your plans. If you are in Muscatine it would be way easier to hang out, but we are willing to go to Ames or wherever you live if need be. Tell us what you guys are planning.