Unaverage Joe: Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Monday, July 17, 2006

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Today is 7/17. My Dad turns 60 today. If you ever met my Father, then I am going to stress that yes, the big six-oh. I was talking to my Dad today, and he told me he was debating whether or not to run 10 miles when he gets up in the morning in the scorching 100 degree heat that ChicagoLand is having. He stated it may be the last time in his life that he does it. He also said he may just decide against it, since he ran 6 miles a few days ago. He’s 60. I am about half his age, and I wish I could run half that distance!

One time he was here, and we went on my favorite bike ride in my life. We biked around D.C., on memorial stairs, on the National Mall, over the Potomac River, and more. I loved it. People were telling me that my brother was cool. Uh… he’s my F-a-t-h-e-r. He has been referred to as my brother or friend on numerous occasions.

On the steps at the Jefferson Memorial

Here’s a cool story about him that I’d like to share in honor of his birthday –

As you can imagine, he likes to work out and is in great shape. One of his usual routines is to bike to the local college, which is several miles away, and then he runs laps around the track or sometimes the entire campus. Well, one day, just a couple years ago, he was doing his typical run around the track. It was summertime, and school was almost in session. The college football team was practicing, cheerleaders were rehearsing, and other athletes were preparing for the upcoming season. As my Dad was running, the football team was practicing their field goal kicks. My Dad is rounding the track, and a football goes sailing through the uprights, past the field goal, and towards the track. Just as my Dad was passing by, he raises his hand to block the sun, and with the other one, he makes a one-arm catch of the football. The whole infield roars with cheers. My Dad calmly throws the football back to the team, and keeps running. I love that story! It brings tears to my eyes when I tell it. I love you, Dad! Happy birthday!!

When my Father was here last time helping us move into the new house, he asked me if there would be any protests. He likes that stuff. I told him it’s D.C.; just wait a few minutes. Sure enough, President Bush was giving the State of the Union Address, and there were plenty of people in front of the Capital protesting. I took him there. Although it was silly - and cold, we had a good time yelling, waving our fists, and holding other people's signs.