From my archives… A Re-Post! Enjoy! 

Last week, we celebrated what would have been Daddy’s 81st Birthday.

Sixteen years ago, at the age of 65, he unexpectedly died of a massive heart attack.

He was an Old Military War Horse.

A retired {26 years served} Air Force  Chief Master Sergeant {CMSgt}.

A rugged Korean and Vietnam War era veteran, whom we always believed would outlive us and whom we undoubtedly thought could live FOREVER.

On Saturday night, my Big Brother and I sat at the bar of a little Mexican Restaurant and raised our beer mugs to honor “The Old Dude” whom we now affectionately refer to as: “Mr. Anderson” (a long story).

Later, we relaxed at home in the living room, toked on an half-smoked Cohiba (a REAL Cuban, left over from New Year’s Eve), and “clinked” shot glasses full of Jack Daniels – all while we laughed and shared tales of our childhood.

This was the first time we’d celebrated Daddy’s birthday together in years.  It was a surreal experience.  Daddy was definitely with us that night – in Spirit.

Our memories of Daddy are similar, yet very different.  My Brother and I share most stories word-for-word, yet some other “Daddy Tales” seem more like third person fables that have been passed through the years of our lives.

A five-year gap between me and my Brother’s ages caused Daddy to relate to each of us differently… We assume THAT is the catalyst of our different memories.

Still, it’s funny that although Daddy has been gone from this earth for so many years, that night,  both of us admitted that we still seek Daddy’s wisdom and advice on a daily basis.

You may find it strange, but I probably “talk” to Daddy more now than I did during the last years of his life.

How could that be possible?

Well, Daddy comes to me in my dreams, he speaks to me when I am troubled and alone.  At times when I find I need an “extra push”,  or when I need help with a difficult dilemma, he’s there to gently nudge me along.  For simple decisions or even for the most complex issues, he is there to offer his advice.

I liken it to the tiny Angel and/or Devil that the Protagonist feels sitting on his shoulders while in the midst of a difficult decision.

It is similar a quick phone call to a Buddy to ask her opinion: “Should I choose Red or White?” or just like a “Phone a Friend” option on a game show.  Either way, Daddy is always there for me.

Today, as I drove to the gym, I thought about some of the life lessons that Daddy taught me = Future Fodder for this blog…

Occasionally, it does me well to reflect on these and consider their validity.

A Few Lessons from My Daddy:

• You need to be happy to survive this life.  Do what YOU love and don’t surrender = You will always be happy.

• Nothing has to be permanent.  Although there may be consequences, you ALWAYS have the option to change your mind.

• Never, Never, Ever burn the bridge.  That bridge could lead you to new and exciting places that you never knew existed -OR- you may need to cross that bridge again to go back from whence you came.

• We are taught to LOVE one another, but no one ever said that we have to LIKE one another.  To be Cordial is enough.

• It’s a small world…  You’re gonna keep running into the same folks over and over and over again.  Keep THAT in mind, because, one day, either YOU or The Other Guy is gonna need a favor.  {In other words: Just keep it Cordial.}

Whether he’s your Daddy literally or figuratively,  or Dead or Alive, I’m certain that each of us have bits of wisdom from our “Daddy” that guides us through our lives.

Today, I challenge you by asking:

“Who’s YOUR Daddy?”

and

“What are some of the life lessons that he’s taught you?”

Think about it.

My Daddy – Circa 1976ish