Ode to the Piano Man

Today is my dear ole Dad's birthday, so if you're reading, I just want to say Happy Birthday Dad!! I miss you! The other day my brother sent me a video clip of this guy who plays amazing jazz/blues on the piano. This guy has the same name as my brother - so he said that this is what he'd look like in 40 years if he had inherited my dad's piano talent! This will give you an idea of what my Dad plays like.



My dad is an amazing pianist and loves to play jazz. Watching the clip brought back so many memories watching my dad play his keyboard, and him teaching me the basics of jazz piano! I miss that so much. Growing up our home was filled with music. Either my dad or one of us five kids plunking away at the piano or someone singing along with the piano. These days, my home is only filled with music if the radio is on or if I have a free minute to sit down at the piano. So I really do miss that! One of these days, Dad, you need to send me some video clips or put them up on youtube so I can see you play!

My Dad lives in Hawaii, so I don't see him very often. (But I have to say, it sure is nice to have that excuse to go out there to visit him in paradise!) But we sure miss you very much. Last night Jada was looking at some family pictures and asking me who everyone was. She pointed at Grandpa, and I said, "That's my dad, and he's your Grandpa." And she said, "Yea, he likes to play with me." And I said yes he does. And then she ran away, and brought back a doll. And she said, "Grandpa gave this to me!" And I was floored! I could not believe that she remembered that. Last October he came for a visit, and she remembered that he played with her... (he really is an awesome grandpa. He'll spend hours playing blocks, and stuffed animals with her). And she remembered the doll that he gave her. So I guess he made quite an impression with her!

My dad always did fun stuff like that when we were kids too. Our tooth fairy's name was "Bob" and he'd leave the most hilarious notes and gifts in exchange for our teeth. My dad made up the funniest and craziest stories, and was always so believable. He wasn't afraid to make a big mess in order to have fun. Once we had a huge water fight and because we were in and out of the house so much, the kitchen floor was nearly flooded! He had the most interesting game of hide-and-go-seek ever. He would hide, and then tap the walls. We'd chase the sounds all around the house, but for some reason we could never find him. When he came out he told us he was hiding inside the walls and had a secret access that only dad's could go into because it was too dark and scary for kids. And he would tell the most fantastic story of what it was like walking inside the walls. And we totally thought our dad was the coolest.

One last favorite memory of my dad. I remember I was a little afraid of lightening and thunder as a kid, so one stormy day, he helped me to realize that the lightening and thunder were really cool! I was probably 3 or 4 - we had a carport, and we went outside and sat on the hood of the car and he taught me that the thunder would come a few seconds after the lightening... and we just sat and counted how long in between the lightening and thunder. I just thought it was the most fun thing in the world to sit out in the rain... and totally cured the fear too!

*Here's a picture of my dad. Peter Gabriel is his celebrity look alike! I think if he grew a goatee he'd look like his twin.

Well, we miss you very much Dad! Hopefully we can get out there soon, or get you out here for a visit. Hope you have a GREAT birthday!

Love, Jess, Jada, and Shane