Memorial Day Weekend thoughts.

May 30, 2016

  As Memorial Day Weekend is ending, I'm emotional for a few reasons. I got to spend time with my dad for the first time in 2016. The last time we were able to see each other was Christmastime. Since it was a longer weekend, he came by to check out a few courses here in Ohio. He didn't enjoy my favorite course in this area, but we'll find a better one next time.

 The weather was nearly perfect Saturday and Sunday. Before he arrived, I prepared a little welcome gift of an OSU shirt, dark roast Starbucks, breakfast biscuits, MU golf tees, and some Superbowl 50 memorabilia. Simple, but he appreciated it. Besides golf, we went out to eat to a few places throughout the weekend.

  The highlight was Tlaq, a local Mexican joint, to eat a late lunch and for him to watch his soccer game... it was some sort of Spain championship game. He got to see most of it and was happy about it. He was impressed with the fajitas we split. We ordered a size for one person, but we couldn't even finish it! He even wanted to go back the next day to try tacos or a burrito. I'll treat him to Tlaq during his next visit.

My dad's second visit to Ohio was a success, I think.

  Another highlight of the trip was Sunday's golf adventure to a shorter, more of a beginner's course, where we walked the full 18 in probably a little over two hours. I'm happy he actually appreciated this place. I think he's happy I have a good place to practice. He was impressed with the range next to it, too.

  Even though anxiety kicked in because we had to eat at BDubs, the overall weekend was very enjoyable. I have another show to keep up with on Netflix now: Blacklist. He has time to golf, watch movies and TV shows, keep up with his soccer teams, visit my cousin to watch other sports... I don't know how he has the energy to do it all!

  Anyways, my thoughts and prayers this year for Memorial Day are for the children who lost a parent fighting for our country. After spending two days with my dad, since seeing him last in December 2015, I can't imagine not having him in my life. We text almost every day. He may not act like a typical dad or parent, but he always wants the best for me and does things for me when I don't want him to, like buy me golf supplies or pay for my meal as if I can't afford to. He still treats me like I'm his little girl, and I actually cry when we have to part ways. Nearly every time. I cry. Like I'm not going to see him until 2017. He knows it, too.

  So, as people say "Happy Memorial Day" today, I hope people refrain from saying that. Yes, we should celebrate the lives of those who lost theirs in battle, but "happy" is not the right word. I know I'll say a prayer of condolences and hope for the children who grew up without a mother or father because of war. We should show appreciation for being able to be with the ones we love, especially our parents or parent figures, because the children who can't would do anything for one day with the lost loved one.

  I can't imagine what it's like to not have my dad around, and all I can do as an act of Memorial Day appreciation is to be thankful that I had my dad when I grew up and as I continue to grow. I won't be posting anything about Memorial Day besides this because I was too busy appreciating that I had a dad around when I was a kid instead of losing him in combat, let alone being in the military.