Father's Day, 2023

Napa, 2007: father and son

Mom called me on FaceTime yesterday. We asked each other about how our day is going, what we've had for lunch, and what the weather was like in Hawaii and California. Small talk is normally deplored; however, in our case there was no important information to be conveyed or decision to be made, we mainly wanted to hear each other's voice.

As usual, something reminded us of Dad. I told Mom about the takeout barbecue I had ordered last night, and the conversation turned to how Dad would spend all day smoking a side of beef or pork in the backyard. He became quite expert at wood-smoking for large group gatherings; for years he was in charge of food prep at the Honolulu Shriners' Club.

Dad passed away nearly four years ago, and I think of him every day if only for a moment. On this Father's Day may we cherish the memories of our fathers, living or not, because it all goes so quickly.