Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have been 87 today. It’s hard to believe that he died almost 10 years ago, and that he’s been gone the whole time I’ve been living in San Diego (since 2001). That got me thinking about him and though I don't usually do the "Things on Tuesday" group, I ended up considering what he would have loved and loathed if he’d had a chance to visit us here this week for his birthday.
Things he’d loathe:
— The crowded traffic. Though he might like the tendency to use freeways over roads with streetlights, which is more common in NJ where we lived. He could swear up a storm about the so-and-so traffic lights.
— Streets with Spanish-derived names. "Caminito what? What the hell’s a Via del la Valle?"
— Starbucks coffee culture. “We’re paying what for a cup of coffee?? Let’s just go to Dunkin Donuts”
— That there are no Dunkin Donuts in San Diego. See above.
— People walking around with Bluetooth ear-pieces. I have to say, this acorn hasn’t fallen far from the tree there.
Things he’d love:
— Watching a baseball game on a high-definition tv. Though to be honest, he could also swear up a storm at the so-and-so Phillies…
– Watching the hummingbirds dive bomb our feeder (and each other) while relaxing on our patio. He always enjoyed sitting and relaxing with his family.
– That there are Law & Order episodes on around the clock in all different varieties. My folks loved themselves those police/court procedurals.
– Evening at Powerhouse Park in Del Mar, hanging out and watching the sun set into the Pacific. That was one of my mom's favorite things to do when she was here, and I think he'd have loved it, too.
— Seeing that I’ve reached a point in my adulthood where I am happy and healthy (if not quite wise-enough).
— Getting to know The Beloved – which is the thing he'd love most. She and I didn’t know one another when he died. He would have loved her, too!
Happy Birthday, Pop! I miss you all the time.
Stevil 
I really enjoyed your creative interpretation of Things on Tuesday. It's such a warm tribute to your Dad. Happy Birthday to him!
Wow Steve, your dad must have been one great guy to have raised a son like you.
You made me tear up with your list (good tears!). This list is simply awesome.
It sounds like the essence of your Dad is with you at all times. Thinking of you on your's Dad's birthday and smiling.
That's a great list.
I'm sorry about your dad. I miss mine all the time, too.
Love the part about the spanish street names LOL.
Thank you for sharing this. I really enjoyed it.
I also teared up while reading this. For as highly as you speak both of your dad and of the Beloved, I'm sure they would have loved each other a lot.
Thanks for sharing this list!
That is a beautiful reflection.
I'm going to call my Dad today.Oh, and last night, I was swearing up a storm at the so-and-so Phillies….
Great tribute.
i so miss Dunkin Donuts. Went every day when I was in Grad School in Boston. There's one on every stickin corner!
I love that you have chosen a woman your dad would love. The greatest compliment I ever got from my father in law was that his father, the great family patriarch, would have loved me. A truly touching sentiment, indeed.
Thanks for sharing your dad here … a wonderful tribute!
What a touching tribute! I'm only 15 months into missing my Dad. 10 years seems like forever. I'm glad you found someone your Dad would love.
What a neat way to remember your dad's birthday. I'm so glad as time goes by the pain of losing our loved ones can be replaced with found memories that can bring joy to our heart and a smile of the happy times we shared.
[this makes me speechless] (well…almost!) GREAT post Steve, very touching and very relatable. I'm going to have to drive up to Dunkin Donuts now in honor of you and your father….I love that place!
Awww, Janie you're going to make me blush — thank you. I was really lucky to have such a great dad (and mom, too).
Thanks Jay — I think of all the nights my mom and dad would sit on the porch and listen to the Phils on the radio — its a good memory.
Thanks Tami — for me, the grief is long-gone and really all that's left is really great memories and feelings.
chocolate glazed, please!
Thanks kellysouth — sometimes I think these 10 years have gone by in the blink of an eye and sometimes it feels like forever. More the former though.
Thanks Grandma-P — there really isn't any grief left. Just a sense of happiness and joy with some good old fashioned nostalgia.
Thanks, Jim — I have the sense you're going to be the kind of dad that has kids that feel the way we did (and still do) about our dad.
great post, steve :)he sounds like a helluva man. and what a wonderful son he raised :)
This was a great post and a great way to remember your dad. I can picture him sitting there in traffic talking about the Spanish street names. :)
this was sweet……
What a great tribute to your dad! I love this!
Wonderful! I recently lost both my parents in 2004 and 2005.
What an honest, tender and humorous tribute.
one of the hardest things for me about my dad dying is that he didn't meet my "beloved", he would have liked Dave. Nice post.