My Dad's Top 10

I have been thinking about my father today on what would have been his 91^st birthday.  It’s fascinating to me that while there are many things I have forgotten over the 34 years since he left us, there are many things that still feel fresh in my mind.

Clear as day, I can hear his voice calling my name, I remember the sound of his laugh, the feeling of a big hug from him, many moments from our cross-country road trip in 1980, playing basketball on the driveway and watching him shoot his hook shot, and many others.

In writing this blog, my family members and I often document our favorites of the year that is ending – from movies, books, and TV shows to museums and Broadway shows.

So I decided to make a list of what I think were my father’s Top 10 things based on my own recollections (and I can’t swear by the order of these items other than #1).

#10 -- Watching sports and sharing sports trivia

#9 – Enjoying a rare, juicy steak

#8 -- Playing bridge 

#7 – Enjoying a glass of quality scotch

#6 – Teaching his students (at school, in his SAT prep courses and while tutoring)

#5 – Telling jokes (his sons and his students were the most frequent recipients of his Dad humor) and watching stand-up comedy

#4 – Reading

#3 – Traveling

#2 – Talking to his sons (on the phone, sitting around the dining table, hanging out with him in the living room)

And my father’s #1 favorite thing – Spending time with his friends and family

 

Unfortunately he never got to meet any of his grandchildren but I’m sure that would have ranked very high on his list as well.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  Hope you are enjoying a rare steak and a glass of scotch.

Frosty