Today’s topic – in honor of Groundhog Day (the day and the movie) – is about moments in our lives we’d like to repeat. I think the timing is perfect to list ten moments I shared with my father that I have on repeat in my heart.

1. Playing games. I originally shared this photo and story back in 2009. It’s obviously had a lot of repeat playtime over the years.

Daddy and me, age 2

2. Camping. This is another story I’ve already shared here and I was kind of surprised myself that it made this list. I do not love camping. I do not love long car rides. But I do love spending time with family, seeing new places and having fun. Those trips were all about that.

summer 1971

3. Eating. Daddy always enjoyed eating and he loved everything (which for a boy raised in small-town Alabama is a real credit to my mom, a California native with very adventurous tastes). One of the hard things about the past few years is that he could no longer eat. But in early 2011, he could tolerate soft foods and we hosted a Chocolate Mousse Throwdown when the family gathered that Memorial Day. My sister, my nephew and Sara all “competed”. Of course Daddy couldn’t declare just one winner, but he did enjoy a lot of chocolate mousse that day.

Karen, Andrew, Sara and Daddy (and a lot of chocolate mousse)

4. and drinking. Daddy’s drink of choice was always scotch, a drink I’ve tried to like, but … just can’t. So about ten years ago, when he started liking Pinot Noir, I got excited. We shared this toast together in early 2012.

lunch out April, 2012

5. Beaufort weekends. Mother, Karen and I started a “girls weekend” tradition back in 2005. In 2007, we officially settled on Beaufort, South Carolina as our destination. Daddy came along, too (but stayed in a hotel separate from us and had his dinners out with our dear family friend Charlie) and we’d meet up for lunch on Saturday and church on Sunday. Last year, my brother joined the weekend and stayed with Daddy. It was perfect. We are actually going to repeat this one – kind of – in April. The whole family, including spouses, children and Holly, is gathering in Beaufort to inter Daddy’s ashes in the Memorial Garden at the church we love there. This place has special meaning for us and being able to share it – over and over again – with Daddy is a blessing.

Steve, Mother, Charlie, me, Karen, Daddy

6. Daddy and Charlie. I am so glad Daddy got to meet Charlie. And we have many photos of the two of them together so Charlie learns about his Grandpa Roy. But I wish they’d had more time together; I know they would’ve had a great time and Daddy had so many experiences to share.

May, 2014 – Daddy and Charlie, age eight months

7. A proud moment. Daddy loved Georgia Tech. I think the last time he was on the campus was to celebrate Sara’s graduation in May 2014. This photo was one of his favorites – what a legacy!

Marc, Katie, me, Sara, Daddy and Rob – all Georgia Tech grads!

8. Dancing. I think the only time we ever danced together was at Katie’s wedding in May 2013. I’m glad we had the opportunity.

9. Thanksgiving. My parents have been coming to Atlanta for Thanksgiving for years. They stay with my sister and we plan all sorts of get togethers (pretty much every day except Thanksgiving!) around their visit. This year, we gathered at my house for cocktails (always a favorite “reason” to get together) the day after Thanksgiving. This is the last photo I have of the three of us children smiling with Daddy.

Steve, me, Karen and Daddy

10. …and this is the last one of us three with him. Much of those last few hours are not something I ever want to repeat, but this moment, simply holding hands, is a beautiful one.

January 22, 2016

Photos can tell a powerful story. Thank you, Carole, for giving me a reason to do it today.

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