Some Gifts from My Father

A nightly kiss goodnight, occasionally accompanied by live autoharp music

A love for the outdoors

A solid work ethic that started with picking up windfall pears and selling them for a quarter per bushel

A savoring of produce from the garden, including fresh asparagus

A commitment to community service

A growing faith

An appreciation for the arts

A love for fresh-pressed apple cider

Thanks for dragging us away from our idyllic Oregon river-front life and transplanting us to the Washington, D.C. area so we could experience "culture." I didn't appreciate it at the time. But now I THANK YOU, DAD! I love you! Happy Father's Day!