Happy Birthday Tommy Peek!

Today is my dad's birthday.  I have spent the day by myself today and found myself thinking about a myriad of things from the day he passed away to the day that he turned the kitchen table over in frustration because of sibling squabbles - I guess we had went to far.  Sorry daddy. 

On the day of his visitation at the funeral home, I put an Intrust Healthcare ink pen in his shirt pocket - because he always had a pen in his pocket.  It made me really sad today to think that both of those are gone - my daddy and my job, that I loved.  I feel like that it was my dad and my mom that taught me how to be a case manager long before I went to EKU, worked for the Cabinet or for Intrust.  Treat others the way you want to be treated, never for one second think you are better than anyone and give the shirt off your back if someone else needs it worse than you and then offer more.  I am thankful today that I had parents that shaped my personality both personally and professionally.  I miss my dad and I miss the folks I worked with.   I would like to know what my dad would think of our grand adventure. 

I sure do wish he was here with me so I could take him to Western Sizzlin tonight - so he could get a hamburger with mustard and onion only and steak fries...and a few tomato slices on an extra plate.    One time at a restaurant, the waiter asked how everything was.  Daddy said "I've had better, but I've had worse."  I could have crawled under the table.  I try to remember this when I say things and Maddie rolls her eyes.

I like to think that there is no one on the planet that misses him more than me or understands the magnitude of the grief I still carry.. but there is at least three more people who share in this sorrow.  Not a day goes by that my mom isn't still 100% devoted to love of her life.  I know that she has been getting wind of these blogs, so sorry I'm not there today for white Burke's cake to celebrate what was the most influential person to me in my lifetime.

Here's to some great parents!  And Happy Birthday Tommy Peek. 


 And in other whiney news, this might be the last time I blog, post, or mention that I'm struggling with driving in Arkansas.  Not all of AR, just some places.  Today I found a youtube video that shows traveling along Hwy 62 just west of Eureka Springs.  This is the road that Daniel traveled to get the rental truck.  So thankful I didn't go with him.  Take a look:

I have managed to watch it and grab the chair arm repeatedly, trying to hang on for dear life.  Maybe I will get used to this - but ... maybe not.  Now try to convince me to just to this anyway.  One wrong jerk and there is no 2nd chance in some places. My trust is in the Lord - and he has blessed Daniel with fabulous driving skills.