After spending some time with my sister and Logan and BJ I headed uptown to see my Dad. He was of course at the VFW. I was thrown off at first because he was not in the usual spot, but a quick scan of the 20 seats and I spotted him. He insisted that I have a drink with, my first legal drink in his presents. We talked a bit about my trip to New Orleans and argued with some folks at the bar about coal mining.
I had given him is birthday present upon my arrival. It is a UofI Dad sticker for your car. He kept looking at it and thanking me for it. As the might went on and he became more intoxicated he started talking about work, or the lack there of. He said he just didn't understand, he looks everyday, he misses work, he likes to work hard. He went on to say that if he was offered a job with a racing team he would take it and he would be gone. I ask him why he doesn't do that, what is holding him back. He said nothing and would do it but it has been awhile since he had any offers. He used to get offers all the time but his kids were more important. He paused and looked at the sticker, he said this is more important, you being here is more important, I had to give it up, I couldn't take the offer then.
My dad is a bit of an alcoholic and sometimes I really dislike him. He has done some things throughout the years to hurt me but in the end, he gave up his life for me. He isn't truly happy with his life and how it turned out but he is proud of his kids. Just seeing us and talking to us. He never stops loving us or telling people about us. Everyone I met at the bar tonight already knew who I was, they knew what my major in school was, where I worked, that I coached at Unity and that my birthday was just a month ago. It is kind of creepy and yes my dad and other people spend too much time at the bar but he means well and he is proud.
