My Dad is a character.  When I think about him from my childhood perspective, I visualize a smile on his face.  He has a guitar in his hand and he’s telling a joke.  That’s my Dad.

I can still hear him singing an old Perry Como Song.   It was my favorite.  At the time I knew nothing about Perry Como, this was my Dad’s song.

I got an old slouch hat
Got my roll on my shoulder
I’m as free as a breeze
And do as I please
Just to bumming around

Got a million friends
I don’t feel any older
I’ve got nothing to lose
Not even the blues
Just to bumming around

Whenever worries start
To bothering me
I grab my coat, my old slouch hat
Hit the trail again

You see, I ain’t got a dime
Don’t care where I’m going
I’m as free as a breeze
And do as I please
Just to bumming around

I hit the trail again

You see, I ain’t got a dime
Don’t care where I’m going
I’m as free as a breeze
And do as I please
Just to bumming around

Just to bumming around
Just to bumming around
Just to bumming around

He taught my nephew and my son to play.  It doesn’t happen often enough, but the few times they have all played together have been magical.

And what’s funny is my Dad never  bummed around.  He didn’t even sit down.  He always worked at a job that kept him traveling and he loved it.  When he was home he worked in our yard.  He was the first one to volunteer if anyone else needed a little help.

As he has grown older, he hasn’t traveled as much. For many years he cultivated a garden.  He seldom ate the vegetables he tended, but would give them away.  Family was first in line, then friends.

He is also a collector.   To my Dad everything is a diamond in the rough.  That’s a pretty awesome perspective.  When my goddaughter first met him, he asked if she wanted the “nickel tour”.  Of course she said yes!  The “nickel tour” is a meander through his treasures with a humorous story or an anecdote about each piece.  She still talks about it today.

Years ago, he built a tractor from miscellaneous parts.  Not tractor parts, but just miscellaneous things he had on hand.  Yes it worked quite well.  He is the reason I think I can do anything if I just try hard enough.

I love you Dad. (or Papa as he is known by most everyone.)