My dad and I circa 1979
My mom, me, and my dad at my high school graduation in June 1996
In addition to being a hard-working lawyer, great dad and husband, he had a great sense of humor and adventure. Midnight Madness was one of the few movies of mine that he actually liked.
I always had a lot of fun with my dad. We traveled all over the United States together. We never flew anywhere, but instead drove so we could the sites along the way. When I was in 3rd grade my dad, mom, and brother and I drove to California for a three week vacation. We began in Columbus, Ohio, and stopped to see the St. Louis Arch, Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Mt. Rushmore, Yosemite Nat'l Park, Yellowstone Nat'l Park, and San Francisco. This was one of the best family trips we went on.
Last summer my dad drove me out to California once again, but this time it was just me and him. He was driving me out to Los Angeles because I had internships with two movie companies. I'm really glad he came with me because we hadn't spent a lot of time together since I started college in 1996. We went to the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater, as well as Santa Monica Beach, where we both got burned!
I also remember how he would do almost anything for me. When I was 5 years old, he asked what I wanted for my birthday. I told him I wanted him to stop smoking. He did shortly after, and had only had one puff since. I'm really glad he quit. And he was really glad he did, too.
When he was in a car accident when I was 12, he had stitches in his cheek and grew a beard because he couldn't shave. But when I turned 13 and was ready to have my bat-mitzvah, I asked him to shave it off, which he did, just for me.
There are many things he will never get to see me do, like getting married, and eventually raising a family. But I will never forget the things he did for me. I love you Dad, and I miss you.
My dad and I circa 1979
My mom, me, and my dad at my high school graduation in June 1996