Today would have been my dad's 84th birthday. Unfortunately, he died in 2003. But he lived longer than anyone in his immediate, if small family.
As grown children, we all look back and laugh at some of his "Hankisms." For instance, when I was a kid, my dad could be heard two blocks away calling for us. It's kind of scary that people that far away could look out their doors and say "Your dad is calling you." People that I didn't even know.
Also, one of his favorite phrases was "Look at me." Siblings of mine said it was "Look at me when I'm talking to you." But I think he was so tired of saying it to me that he shortened it.
My older sister and I rushed to the table to see who could get the farthest seat from him when we were kids. Hoping, I guess, to be too far out of reach when we couldn't chew with our mouths shut and or couldn't control our smart mouths. Or maybe we didn't want to be the one who spewed milk out of their nose when he said or did something so funny you just couldn't control it.
It was the rare person who didn't get tickled or glared at in our household. Or asked to rub his feet or his back. My dad would lay down on the floor and nap while we rubbed his back or combed his hair - often setting it in pincurls.
One of the most memorable things about my dad was his ability to fall asleep anywhere and any time. Even while opening presents on Christmas.
He was a little rough around the edges at times, and often gruff, but we all knew how much he loved us. He was always there for us when we really needed him.
We miss you, dad!
