My First Valentine

Valentine's Day always makes me sentimental. I dig into my stacks boxes of photos and look back on the love I've shared. Today I want to share my favorite photo of my first Valentine - my dad.

This photo was taken on Easter 2007 on a sunny, seasonally warm day. The scents of lilacs and daffodils was drifting through the air. The grandkids had just completed their scavenger hunt; one of their prizes was egg shaped sidewalk chalk. Daddy being the hands-on grandpa that he was got down on the ground and started drawing with them. They drew Easter eggs, kitty cats, puppies and rainbows. The entire patio was decorated before they decided they were done. My children who were at least five years older than my sister's children even got in on it. Their job was to blow bubbles for the kids to chase when they weren't drawing. If you look closely you can see them floating by.  The afternoon was filled with giggles, bubbles, sidewalk art and love.

This is the way I choose to remember him, He had an infectious laugh, gave the best hugs and at 6' 2" he was one of the biggest teddy bears you could ever meet. He loved a good joke, riding his motorcycle, and good times with family and friends.He was taken from this world on his 61st birthday in 2009, even though his presence was removed from us in the years proceeding by the early onset of Alzheimers. 

I'm closing with one of his favorite songs - it will always have a special place in my heart (and not just for the guitar solo.)