Some People Stand Out in a Crowd
This is not the most artistic or technically correct photograph, but the subject itself is the art!
Have you ever known someone that just seems to stand out in a crowd? I find it is the details in a person that put them on a different level. They raise the bar. Let me tell you about my Dad. I remember playing softball when I was younger. It was my dad that would practice with me. He even busted my mouth with a fast ball. (ACCIDENTLY!) I learned to get the glove up faster. We did not stop playing right off that day. I remember seeing a little blood on the ball, my teeth hurt, and holding back tears as I shot an accusatory look at him. He studied me a second then said, “Ahhh you’re aite. Throw it here.” I did, hard, because I was mad then. A few minutes later, my sister walked out the back door, looked at me and said, “WHOA! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR MOUTH.” Yeh, I cried then while my dad just looked at her and shook his head. Ah, the power of suggestion. Bless his heart he lived with THREE women!
Later on at ballgames, it was my Dad’s whistle amongst the crowd that I could recognize as I ran the bases. Anyone can be a father, it takes someone special to be a Dad. My Dad has supported me, whether he has agreed with my decisions/interests. He may not like them right off, but he puts forth an effort and always does the right thing. That is what matters to me.
I have watched my Dad’s life over the years. He is steady. He lives a faithful life and works hard at his hobbies, interests, work, and most importantly at his family. There is so much about my Dad that I admire but a couple things that stand out are: his efforts to reflect and better himself and how he loves his family. This man once tossed the keys to his 1970 LT-1 Corvette to me, his 18 yr old daughter, and said, “You are driving home. You helped me work on the brakes.” I could drive trucks that were straight drives, but a muscle car is a horse of a different color. And this particular “horse” had a lot more power and worth. We briefly argued about me driving. He won. I drove home. I ground the clutch twice. He winced the second time. The car was sold long ago but the memory from X number of years ago rests in my mind like it was yesterday. Now he isn’t perfect!!! He will tell you that. He fails, that’s why he has my mom, Deidra, and myself, we keep him on track. (kidding) He still takes my mom out on dates after 32 yrs of marriage. It is his heart and focus on what he loves in life makes him the rose I’d pick amongst those that pale in comparison. I love you Daddy.
(For those of you wondering: No, the image is not staged. My mom noticed the extraordinary rose in her garden, sort of like she noticed my dad years and years ago. She has a good eye.)
