When I was nine my dad decided to coach my first softball team. At our first practice I picked up a bat and got into position to hit the ball. Then I hear “what are you doing?” I turn towards my dad and I told him “I’m batting, what does it look like I’m doing”. We didn’t know I batted left handed at that point. He thought I was just playing around. It was pretty cool having your dad as your coach. Sure I could get away with anything and I could have the BEST position on the field. Yeah WRONG , outfield with the rest of the new girls. He never showed any bias but that didn’t matter because my dad was the coach.
My dad has coached me in many aspects of my life. He’s been there pretty much every step of the way. If I ever had a problem he was always there to listen and give the best advice he could. His father was his hero and my dad was mine. He was there when I had my first children regardless of his agoraphobia and he was an amazing grandfather. He loved those kids and he had a very special place in his heart for each of his grandchildren. They put a smile on his face that I hadn’t seen in a while and he just loved when they would call him on the phone or come visit.
He wasn’t just my dad, he was my best friend. He was always there for anyone if he was able to be. He was a great dad, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend. I loved him very much and I am going to miss him every day. Now he’s up there with pap, fishin’ pole in hands and enjoying the heck outta themselves.
