"He still combs his hair like Elvis, pays cash for everything. He'll only drive a Chevy and thinks Alan Jackson's king. He knows everyone by name at the local hardware store. They don't make 'em like that anymore" - Jason Blaine
These lyrics remind me of my Dad. He never combed his hair like Elvis and you'd be more likely to find him at the truck center than the hardware store, but he certainly was from an older generation that did things differently. And he definitely thought Alan Jackson was king (perhaps only second to George Strait). That's why when he passed away the first thing I did was put on some Alan Jackson. The song "Drive" really is a song that will forever remind me of my Dad. I was his #1 pride and joy but his second was his truck. I always joke that I got my sense of direction and natural inclination for driving from him. I remember being a little girl and him letting me steer from the passenger seat. I really was "high on a mountain when Daddy let me drive."
This past Saturday we finally said goodbye to him in a small ceremony in Elgin, Ontario. Not too far from the town of Lyndhurst where he was born and raised and so was I. I wasn't completely pleased with the way the priest conducted the service. It was mostly a negative message about how we're all going to die someday. I wish I had tossed aside the reading he gave me and instead shared about the many fond memories I have of my Dad. Trips in his truck. Seeing him at my horse shows and soccer tournaments. Going to the movies and spending Saturdays with family. How he always helped me out with every big thing in my life. How when he retired from trucking we mostly talked about his recent online poker games, the price of gas, the weather, and of course, hockey. And also how proud I was to introduce my son to him. I wish I had shared those things on Saturday but in a way I'm glad to have them to myself. The relationship between a Daddy and his Daughter is a precious thing. I'm so glad to have had one for 28 years. I wish it had been longer but I'm still so thankful.
If you're blessed to still have your parents in your life, please do something for me. Call them frequently. Visit them often. Forgive their shortcomings and appreciate their sacrifices. And every time you speak, make sure to say I love you.
