Rohal Call

I know...I'm always the one holding the camera.

My dad has evolved as a gift giver over the years.  When we were kids, he would ask "What did you get?!?" as we opened each gift.  We knew our gifts were technically from him and mom, but we also knew he didn't do any of the shopping.  I wonder how many dads DO participate in the buying of Barbies and bigwheels, Cabbage Patch dolls and cradles.

Well, as I approached adulthood, perhaps when I was in college, dad started getting us "dad gifts."  One year I got a new set of hubcaps, since my car only had three (you know you're a country girl when...).  Another year it was floor mats for my car.  The first year I lived in my own apartment, he bought me a toolbox with some basic tools (because it drove him CRAZY when he needed to fix something at my house and I couldn't find a screwdriver or wrench).

I guess he was running out of ideas or just wanted to take things to the next level.  One of the first years I was married, he wrapped a pick axe.  The shape was obvious.  I was dumbfounded.  He sat there with a smirk on his face as Patrick and I unwrapped an antique pick axe.  I tried to be appreciative, but I really didn't get it.  Turns out it was his way of giving us a gift card to his favorite restaurant, Tony's Mining Company....and he wanted the pick axe back.  The next year, he made me a birdhouse.  I had to rip open the top of the birdhouse to get my gift (a gift card to The Bluebird Inn).  It didn't take him a long time to make it.  I wasn't supposed to keep it.  It was just a creative way to give his gift.  Well, this has now become a tradition, and dad's gift is one of my favorites to open.  This was my gift this year...

He traced his own feet for a template and then cut them out of scrap wood.  He painted the toes and put them in flip flops.  The writing says, "Happy toes" and the other, "To Lynn, Merry Christmas, GN" (dad's initials).  I'm getting a pedicure!  Thanks for your thoughtfulness and creativity, dad...I LOVE IT!

The results from my dad's race have finally been published, so I thought I would give you the run down of his times for those of you that are interested in such things.

These are the most recent pictures I have of my dad.  They are from the end of Feb when my parents came here to visit for Adeline's first birthday.

Last May, Patrick participated in his first sprint triathlon.  It was in Mt Gretna, Pa.  It was a 500 yard swim, a 15 mile (very hilly) bike ride, and then a 5K run.  My dad really enjoyed watching Patrick compete, and I started the prodding..."Dad, YOU could do this!"  He was hesitant, but I saw the spark in his eye.  

My dad is one of those guys that is always in decent shape without really trying.  When he goes for a physical, the doctor always tells him his health is like that of a man 20 years his junior.  If you saw what he eats, you would be in awe.  Patrick and I did a bike-a-thon with him several years ago to support the MD brain injury association.  My dad never pushed his bike up a single hill, but Patrick and I pushed as much as we rode.  This course was INSANE!  Um, those were NOT "rolling hills" they were MOUNTAINS in disguise!  But, a triathlon was a whole new concept for him to consider.  He knows how to swim, but has only done it for recreation.  He was not a runner...never really tried it outside of playing sports.  I could tell he wanted to try it, so I put the icing on the cake, "If you do it, Adeline and I will come home early to be there."  That was when I thought Patrick was coming home at the end of June.  He started training and was very gracious when I backed out of our agreement, really not wanting to voluntarily be apart from my husband for 2 1/2 months.