The Greatest Man I Know

Admittedly the blog posts have been less and less frequent as the Brain's and my lives have increased with activity.  Between long days at work, weekends spent boating, trip planning, trip taking, and a bit of relaxation mixed in, it has been difficult to find a schedule that is conducive to writing.  In the weeks that have passed since the last blog post, Easter has come and gone, baseball has started, and March Madness has reached a fevered pitch with only the championship game remaining.  I vow to you that we will catch up on those things in due time.  In the true spirit of blogging and being in the moment, today belongs to my Dad.....The Greatest Man I Know.

Today is Pop's birthday, 53 wonderful years old.  While I couldn't be home to celebrate, I thought I would share a few paragraphs instead.  Poppa Grizz is a true Mid-Western kid with quite an array of versatility to keep everything interesting.  He is short and stocky with legs and calves that rival professional athletes and a handshake that feels of the steel that he works with every day.  He is generally a man of few words, but warm and kind to those that know him best.  His beard over the years has evolved from the salt and pepper shaker look of the mid 90's to the near Christmas Santa-esque version you will see today.  He isn't afraid to hide those white hairs either.  He knows they stand for wisdom and wears them proudly.

More Hunter than Gatherer

Getting Buff.  Had to have at least one embarrassing picture here!

Pop is not an overly complex man.  Good food, good people, good beer, a good dog, and a good story to tell and he would never complain, not that he does much anyway.  He grew up in a time when "Take  It Like A Man" meant something and he exemplifies that statement to this day.  He is a man who will stand up for what he believes and will prove selflessness for his family.  When we were kids, he VOLUNTARILY requested to move to the grave yard shift (11pm-7am) so that he could coach youth baseball all day every day.  An hour of sleep here, maybe 2 hours there and then it was back to work to start it all over again....happily!  He has taught (and continues) to teach his children how to hunt, fish, build, respect (people and nature), party, help, and succeed.  Over the years he has always been supportive of whatever crazy ideas his children have had even if that meant seeing them less (and trust me, he always wants to see them more). He has proven to see the bigger picture and has wanted his children to take advantages of situations that were not presented to him.  I believe he is content with that, not bitter.

Still teaching as a hunter's education safety instructor ...

If you asked him what type of worker he would categorize himself as, he would probably say worker bee type.  He might also tell you he is the jack of all trades, but master of none.  He might also tell you nothing and simply ask that you come to work with him and you tell him.  His intellect goes far beyond worker bee material I can assure you.  He takes pride that his collar is blue, but won't hold a grudge for those whose aren't.  Grizz is a learner, maybe not a read a book a week learner, but a let me figure out how this thing comes together learner.  He was taught to work and learn with his hands, a trait that has carried on with all of his children.  Arguably the best thing that my dad has been for my 28 years is a teacher.  If I really boil it all down, most everything I know comes down to something that my father has taught me or encouraged me to learn over the years.

A good dog makes good dogs, here is one of the recent puppy pictures from the family dog's litter.    It's here mostly because it's freaking adorable, but also represents the compassionate side of my Father.  Photo Credit: Kally Dey

These paragraphs surely are not all inclusive of the man that his my father.  It doesn't peel back the layers of the marriage to my beautiful mother or the intricacies of being a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, or friend.  It's a brief summary if you will, of the man he is and the man I hope I can be half of before my time is up.  So cheers Dad, have one on me, but know that this one is for you.  To the Greatest Man I know....I love you and I'll see you soon.

Love,

Buzzy (aka Pinky)

Mom, Dad, and I.... Missed Amanda and Brandon on this one.