Happy Birthday Dad!

     I have a short list of people I think are absolutely without a shadow of a doubt, amazing. Two of those fine people on my list; my dad and my mom. Sixty-six years ago today, he was born. It is sad that he didn’t make to see his 66th birthday, not even his 52nd. My father passed away at the young age of 51. My mother and father were ten years apart in age, my mom being ten years younger. They met each other in Hawaii while working at the same company. My dad, being a stud muffin of a man had a Corvette, but didn’t drive it to work cause he lived close enough to walk. ( I still laugh thinking about that…a totally chill car? And you don’t drive it? Hello?! I’d be prancing all around in my beast of a car if I had one, but my humble dad, what a guy!) Anyway, during my parents “courting” my dad would invite my mom to have lunch in his office, my mom didn’t have an office so she found it a great privilege to sit on his couch in his office and just chill during lunch! Now again, my dad the stud of a guy would even let my mom and her friends at work eat lunch in his office when he wasn’t there- how awesome is that?! Ok ok, so we all know what happens after the cute dating, they get married, in Hawaii, and move to Cali.   

     My parents were amazing together. I never once heard or saw them argue. They knew how to compromise while complimenting each other. Words can’t explain the amazing memories I have of them together. I could never be eloquent enough to describe such a perfect relationship. At times I’m sure they did have their disagreements and or hard times, but up until the age of 10 watching my parents, I found NO flaws. My memory of them is perfect.
     Junichi Jun- that’s my dad! He was right in the middle, one older sister, one younger brother. My father worked hard. He didn’t grow up with a father in his life and was sent to work at young age. He was very outgoing and sporty. He was even the school president his senior year! After high school he continued to work and put his sister through college, yes his older sister. My dad did not graduate from college, but found himself a computer geek, but a dang good one. He traveled lots, did some work for the air force, had multiple jobs, but eventually found himself working for Wells Fargo Bank doing who knows what with computers. All I know is that he understood the old computer language—I think the “001000101100” (for those who get that).  My dad was Vice President of his division; he had his own business card, which to this very day I still have and think is the coooooolest thing EVER! (this is just glimpse into the coolness of my dad)
     I’ll share one of my favorite memories. When I was younger, I would write notes to my dad every night before going to bed, it was tradition, a tradition I made! It all started on a small note pad, then quickly moved to a spiral bound notebook. Sometimes I’d just write things like, “I love you” or “how was work?” other times I’d find myself writing about my day, or asking random questions. Looking back I think some of the best entries was when I’d sound out the words I was trying to write and spell them phonetically and my poor dad would do the best he could to “translate” but would sadly get it wrong. I think everything happens for a reason and I feel like I had a special “journal” with my dad because I wasn’t going to have extra time to get to know and bond with him. Now I don’t mean for that to sound sad, because I think of it as a happy thought. That’s something really cool I got to do! *chuckle * It’s hard to explain but reminiscing about the past is good for me, puts me back in a happy time – a time of innocence.
     I celebrate my dad today because it’s his birthday, and yes I CELEBRATE it! ☺ I celebrate today by being as happy and positive I can be. I try to do things for others and see if I can make someone smile! If I have, then I feel like I’ve celebrated well! So thank you to my family and friends for allowing me to celebrate ☺
     Happier thoughts, my cousin Cami has a daughter who was born just one year ago. Kieri was born June 2, 2007. She now, shares a birthday with my dad, which again, is the coolest and gives me yet another reason to celebrate!!! So happy birthday to Kieri—she’s 1 today!!!!!
     I know that this entry is very random, but my head is all jumbled today. I don’t know if I make sense or if there really is a point to any of my rambling, but this blog is for me. I need this blog to help me release from a long day of trying my best to celebrate.
Happy birthday dad! I love you! ☺