Father's Day Top 10

The 2019 Spring is almost over. Father's Day is a good day to look back and produce a seasonal Top 10. My daughters, my products, were instructed to rub my shoulders while I type. I am still waiting for that shoulder rub, but without further ado:

10. Graduation

My oldest daughter graduated from 3-year-old academia. Her first year of education at Geneva Preschool was by all indications a smashing success - great teachers, great experiences, funny stories, funny kids. What is not funny? College tuition estimates 15 years from now. Girls, less sundaes, more scholarships.

9.  Open for Business

Idlewild is up and running for the 2019 calendar year. Our family did a weekday night to ease into the amusement park scene. My oldest daughter and I rode the Scrambler, bringing us closer together, literally.  My wife almost threw up on the Merry-Go-Round. Mommy-Don't-Go-Around-So-Good. Our 2-year-old did not follow the rules and regulations on the Doodlebug. The Doodlebug conductor had to stop the Doodlebug.

So, our first trip to Idelwild was just as we planned.

8.  Anniversary

My wife and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary on June 1st. I promised her I would take her to Idlewild to ride the Merry-Go-Round later in the month. "Love is a circle, setting people free, love is a circle, love is you and me" (random poem line I found on Google) (Dad move).

7.  Dedication

We decided to donate the crib that both our daughters used to a church garage sale. We did not consult with our 2-year-old prior to making this decision. While trying to squeeze that wooden mass out of our house, our youngest screamed bloody murder. She collapsed on the floor as we worked our way around her betrayed body. Once we got the crib outside, she demanded to get inside. On our front porch, she jumped in her crib one last time, like a rabid kangaroo. It was cute. It was scary.

The crib was sold for an unknown amount.

6. Annihilation

On the night of a tornado warning, that same 2-year-old slept on the living room floor as hail pelted our home. Her sister danced on the front porch, illuminated by ice falling from the sky. All our mulch flooded into the front yard. There is nothing like being a Dad and watching your mulch mix in with your grass. Abstract art. We have a wooden woodpecker whose wings are powered by wind. Now, we have a one-winged woodpecker.

Dad: "Who clipped my woodpecker's wing?"

Mother Nature: "I did. Go check the basement."


5. Pilgrimage

On the Saturday before Father's Day, our family hiked through Stackhouse Park to Mill House Cafe. And by hiked I mean, I pushed the oldest in a stroller with the youngest in a hiking pack on my aging back. My wife carried a musket and protected us as we made the ascent into Westmont. We traversed fallen trees and befriended bugs. Upon reaching our destination, the parents sipped caffeinated drinks like Lewis and Clark. The girls acted like Thelma and Louise until a banana nut muffin was used as a peace offering.

4. Tour

The 2019 edition of Taste and Tour in downtown Johnstown was a blast. My wife is a mastermind behind the operation. This annual event has become a showcase of all the good things downtown has to offer. Family, friends and neighbors bombard businesses - 44 businesses participated this year - in one big community party. Cheers to everyone who took to the streets that Saturday; to all the small business owners; to everyone working to bring the best out of downtown Johnstown.

3. Flood

For the second consecutive year, I participated in the Path of The Flood 12K. This race, held on the morning of Taste and Tour, is an exceptional 7.4 miles from trail to city streets. I beat my Dad time from last year and got to give my daughters a sweaty hug at the finish line. The finish line was at People Natural Gas Pavilion, the site of my wedding reception.

"Love is a circle, setting people free, love is a circle, love is you and me" (Dad move - repeat yourself until you are acknowledged)

2. Lunar Eclipse

My father had the golf round of his retirement to defeat me in a Dad-on-Dad battle in honor of Father's Day. He played lights out. At one point in my life, I was an angry golfer and getting trounced by my father would have led to rage. When I was in my 20s I thought I could become better at the sport through aggression and profanity. Now, at 35, I just like being outside.

"Double bogey, beautiful day".

1. Celebration

My wife's grandmother passed away in June and we celebrated her life. Her final day on Earth was on Polkafest Sunday, a fitting farewell. Her Cambria City home was a festival headquarters for decades. Her back porch was a festival sanctuary. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people, walked through her backyard - generation after generation, polka after polka.

I have a vivid memory of her sitting on that back porch and just watching my daughters run wild in her backyard. As they scream, she smiles. No words are exchanged, just one generation looking fondly upon another.

Life sure does fly by. I look forward to the Father's Days ahead.

The full-ride college scholarships. The golf round of my life. The shoulder rub.

The should rub.

The shoulder rub.