Riding the Berkeley Hills (Dad, me, and my brother)
..
Today is Father’s Day. Well, was. It’s almost over now — 10:30 p.m. here on the West Side.
My dad and brother came to visit us today. We rode our bikes, chatted, got Thai food. Overall, it was a great day — except for my dad and brother who spent more than two hours driving in traffic . . .
But . . .
Hopefully, it was worth it. I made pound cake, which we ate after dinner. Jon had everyone laughing with his stories about growing up in Alabama. And I . . .
Remembered my poem from last Father’s Day, which I’ve decided to post again, here. I hope you don’t mind . . . I hope you enjoy . . .
Happy Father’s Day, everyone!
Let’s dive! (My dad on the right as a little boy.)
Path to Immortality
We start out mere mortals,
’til “Father” turns son.
It’s then our potential
“forever” is won.
We live through our children,
and they on through theirs.
So what will we show them?
How say, “Daddy cares”?
..
Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Two kids in a tub.
..
It’s here I’m no expert,
but look to the best.
My father’s my hero—
he far passed the rest!
With love and compassion,
through fire and through ice,
he gave with devotion,
and never thought twice:
My dad as a baby with his dad
He did what he had to,
and then he did more.
No matter the duty,
’twas never a chore.
..
“Da-ddy. Da-ddy. A spider!” my plea.
…
From start until finish,
from dawn until dusk,
pushed past human limits,
he still wasn’t brusque . . .
But rather was patient,
and kind without end.
All people who knew him,
his worth did commend.
..
“Lo-vely. Lucky!” they always told me.
…
Swimming in Lake Tahoe when I was a kid
But of my dad’s story,
they only knew half.
I wasn’t just lucky:
My dad’s off the graph!
For me and my brother,
he’s always been there.
‘Twas never a question:
“Does our daddy care?”
…
Love you. Love you. I know that it’s true.
…
From cycling, to skiing,
to talking in depth,
my father has shaped me,
and that is a breadth!
So Daddy, I thank you,
for all that you are.
You’re no longer mortal:
You outshine the stars.
..
Jon, me, and Derek
…
..
Sour cream pound cake — my dad and brother’s favorite. :)
…
shift 
What a wonderful tribute. I cherish the days I have with my two daughters and consider myself blessed.
Dads are the best! Thank you for reading and for your kind comment. I hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day!
Never knew you could bake, Jess. That pound cake looks like a delicious treat, and I’m sure it tasted great too. The three of you look very happy in the photo :)
Sounds like you wrote the poem for your dad. It’s very heartfelt, but I think we can all relate to it. Hope to see more poetry from you soon, and all is well.
Thank you, Mabel. Geez it is taking me forever to even respond to comments anymore. Yes, I can bake, though I don’t do it often. And yeah, I remember writing that poem while riding my bike last year. I edited it a bit, but I posted it on Father’s Day last year, too.
Hope you’ve been well!!!!!!
Nice tribute. My daughter came over yesterday and we went for a bike ride too.
That’s great, Dan. I’m so glad you got to get together with your daughter. I love riding with my family. :)
Hope you’ve been well!!
I’m so glad you published again…it’s still a great poem!
Thank you, Marie. I meant to create a recording for it, too, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve been working too much!
love the poem and the photo!
Thank you so much, Fraggle!!
Beautiful Jessica!
Thank you so much, Terri. :)
You always make me smile – Iams r ur perfect
Thanks, Hoss. You would know. ;)
perfection
I knew what you meant.
That was a beautiful ode to your dad, and you guys seemed team U.S.A in those bikes, you look like professionals. Plus the American flag in the left shoulder that I saw in your brother adds to team U.S.A. Nice reading this.
You are soooooo California.
I don’t get it. How is this post “California”?
Maybe that’s why I’m “California.”
It is the Bike picture, all in the right gear with the family…sooo California. 1950s suburbia California pictures too. :-) The good kind of California. We just need to get you surfing.
Right after I recover from this cycling accident. ;)