It’s Father’s Day Again

 


When looking through our family photos you’ll regularly find someone smiling with their mouth wide open! It’s  the Hoffmann picture pose. I’m pretty confident we got this standard Hoffmann pose from my Dad. He was the life of the party. A total jokester. When others would comment on his children’s good looks, he would say things like…”good thing they look like their mother.” I commented to him how beautiful his grandchildren were to which he replied “they all look like me!” One time when I was a kid I told him that my face hurt. I was probably laughing too much or something. He replied “well it’s killing me!” Always joking! Always laughing at himself with that big crazy smile!  He taught me that laughter really is the best medicine. Even in the most chaotic of times I will always find something to laugh about. 


My Dad was a sentimental man. He still had a drawing in his office that I sent him when I was like 10 years old. It said “Rad Dad” in graffiti letters on a brick wall. He had it hanging over his desk. Fitting for a kid to draw around 1986. My kids made him a card one time when they were just babies. The standard stick figure drawings with something written about being “the best Papa JJ ever.”


He told me it was the best card that he had ever gotten and that he would treasure it forever. I believed him. I’m sure he still has it somewhere stowed away in the office. The one we have yet to go back into. I get that from him too. I’m a sentimental old fool with no regrets!
They say that sentimental people can feel other people’s feelings and cheer you up when you need it. We make the best cheerleaders, teachers, counselors, motivational speakers and world leaders. Three out of five for me!

Sentimental people also have a hard time letting go. Mostly of things, which usually isn’t a problem for me, but also of the past which in this case I don’t think I need to let go of. The past is my connection to you. If I could, and if it was socially acceptable I would mention you and Mom in every conversation. I would tell all the stories and relive all the moments. In the meantime, it’s Father’s Day again and this is my tribute to you! Love you Dad and that Hoffmann smile. It lives on through the generations. 
 





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