Equal Time for Dad


While enjoying a summer evening on the front porch with Dad recently, the conversation turned to what folks might want in their coffin. Without hesitation Dad said, "A case of beer, a bottle of Crown Royal and a Victoria's Secret catalog and you already know what song I want played at the memorial."  Frank Sinatra was the man and My Way said it perfectly.

Dad, also known as Norm or Doc, is hands down the silliest character of The Yatko Chronicles.  When he wasn't performing his tub-aerobics routine or watching basketball while enjoying a beer, Dad was in charge of fun. Sunday afternoons he packed the neighborhood kids like sardines in the backseat of his T-Bird for a trip to the local skating rink. Norm was no Apolo Anton Ono so it was common to see him sailing out of control into walls, over railings and once straight through a door that led to the furnace room only to emerge minutes later covered in cobwebs and dust wearing a goofy, sooty grin. 

Norm, an animal lover, welcomed each new pet with open arms even though occasionally one of those critters would sink their teeth into one of his appendages.  When we found a neglected poodle, he spent hours trimming away the matted fur that blinded the little dog.  However, he had to start wearing boots when that pooch routinely tried to take a chunk out of his toes.  He didn't even complain (well maybe a little) when Huey, our attack cat, latched onto his arm like a lion on a wildebeest. Poor Norm ran around the room frantically waving his arm trying to dislodge the crazy cat, but by later in the day when his arm stopped bleeding, all was forgotten.


Although everyone knows him as a jokester, there's also the side the makes him so special. He was the father who left an office full of patients because his daughter was crying her heart out over a wounded baby rabbit. Fitting people with glasses is a far cry from performing delicate surgery on a bunny, but he gave it his best shot. Sadly, the rabbit didn't make it, but a little girl will never forget her daddy trying.  He was also the husband who took care of his bedridden wife during the final months of her life, going to the office without a shower, wearing a baseball cap to hide his messy hair so he could quickly return to be by her side.

At almost 82 years young, Dad is a very rich man. He doesn't have a big bank account, fancy house or expensive car.  His wealth comes in the form of love from his family and friends and treasured memories. However, because of the onset of Alzheimer's Disease, those memories are a little hazy now.  So while sitting on his front porch enjoying a can of his favorite beverage and waving to the neighbors who always give a big shout out NORM as they pass by, it makes me incredibly happy to remind him of those good times while I write The Yatko Chronicles.

This one's for you, Daddy...