Karin thanks her delightful Dad

dad

Father’s Day! The day we all take pause and think about what our dear dads have taught us. In my case, my Dad taught me a heck of a lot, like how to read, write, drive, forgive and forget, and mostly, how to have fun. It’s the latter that I probably appreciate the most about the man. He always wants everyone to get along, have fun, and enjoy the little things. If a bomb were to go off next to him, he would just offer to make everyone a gourmet sandwich and ask if perchance someone was up for a game of tennis.

My dad, like Stacey’s, was a career newspaper man and he made me read and write so much, I’m surprised I didn’t develop carpal tunnel at age 10. But it sure helped in the long run. He also taught me that appliances shouldn’t be replaced until they haven’t worked for over five years, how to choose a honeydew through his scientific tapping method and why we should like everyone.

I had an ex-boyfriend who once told me that I would kill my grandmother if it made a good story. And while that was a stretch, I really do love to live a life that makes for an entertaining dinner party narrative. I definitely have my Dad to thank for that. He always supported me when I made announcements like, “I want to ride a donkey through Romania for the summer!” After all, this is a man who was hit on by the Beat poet Alan Ginsburg and said no. WHAT!!?? No to an icon? I know it’s not his thing, but couldn’t he have just partook to make literary history? Oh well, the fact that he even met Ginsburg really is good enough for me.

Dad, thanks for making me smarter, chiller, sillier and an overall better person. You’re the bestest – happy Father’s Day!