Remembering Dad, My BBQ Hero

Father's Day is just over a week away.  It forces us to think about Dad and to show our appreciation for the role he plays in our lives.  The role of provider, protector and teacher.  Dad is not always right but most Dads are doing the best they can.

My Dad has not walked this earth for many years.  As Father's Day approaches I find myself nostalgically remembering some events of my life.  After all once a person is no longer among us, what else do we have but memories.

We did not have a large backyard and we played mostly on concrete.  On any given Sunday my Father would say "Who wants to have a picnic at the park?" and 5 screaming kids would say "Me, Me, Me!"  He would pack us into the car, Mom would get the food ready and we would stop for charcoal, ice and whatever else we needed.  He could of easily taken us to the park near our house.  It was so close that as kids we used to walk.  However that would not be a special day so he took us to the really good park with more swings, slides and stuff to climb on.  They had a small zoo but best of all they had a really good swiming pool and a lake to swim in.

I don't remember my Father ever preparing a family meal outside of that park.  But there he became the BBQ Hero, standing over the grill, smiling and flipping.  The hot dogs were lightly burnt and decorated with the grill lines transforming them from the bland look of boiling.  The burgers picked up the flavor from the grill and sat handsomely on grilled buns waiting for the ketchup.  The chicken was generously painted with BBQ sauce. 

A sentimental warmness accompanies the visual memory.  Our large family was altogether, everyone was happy, safe and having a good time. There was nothing wrong with the world.  If Dad was still here, I think he would look back at those days as probably some of the best of his life.

Most Dads don't want you to spend alot of money, they want you to create memories for both you and him.

The Sauce Lady