5 Years

Last Saturday, October 11th, marked 5 years since my dad's passing. Time never makes it easier. I am so happy for all of the great memories I have of my dad. I was glad I could go to the temple with my mom, Shawna and Jimmy in honor and memory of my dad. I'm blessed to be his girl (well, one of them). =)

I wrote a bunch of memories below-- Feel free to add memories of your own in the comment section, if you would like. Always fun. President Monson's talk, "Find Joy in the Journey" comes to mind when I think of John McKeon as my dad. He brought much joy.

Memories of Dad

-Dad made a perfect Donald Duck sound
-“Shot” and then would fall and crush us on the bed. A good wake up. Gidget does something just like this when she tackles her stuffed toys.
-Dance practice in the family room. Many Elvis songs come to mind.
-FHE lesson where we learned to hold conversation with eye contact—the stare contest
-Taking Dad on a drive in the go-cart on Saturdays to get the newspaper
-Getting to stay up a bit past bedtime if I gave Dad a head massage

-Counting all of Dad's buckets of leftover coins and getting to go to Disneyland!
-I got to sit with dad the most in his lazy-boy because I was the smallest.
-Dad took me on my first date. We shopped at Susan Doughman’s store and went to the movies.
-Dad told me lots about roses as we would walk the driveway (or ride)
-I remember when taught the boys how to shoot BB guns and included me
-I remember how Dad would play with his ear, bunching it all up and pushing it in- it would actually stay like that for a moment and then pop back out.
-I remember how Dad would stay in his white shirt on Sundays and roll up the sleeves.
-I remember Dad’s mega-tickle. I couldn’t believe Mom would laugh while we were getting attacked and screaming in pain. He would dig his fingers in the “perfect” spots.
-I remember Dad’s grand-interest in each Christmas present we would show him. Oh, and getting Christmas trees was an art.
-I loved Dad’s fancy cuff-links.
-Dad would pay us if we shined his boots—he seemed to like showing us the “just right” way.
-I remember watching Dad’s deep concern when I was laying in the E.R. after my first grand-mal seizure. He took charge to make sure I was taken care of.
-Dad loved to hear me tell him all about David.
-David had told Dad how he was going to propose to me and he gave a few snickers while watching it happen. He got a kick out of that.
-I remember when Dad was in the ward talent show with the Bishopric singing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” all decked out in Jamaican attire-- I was about 5.
-Dad loved the sugar cookies with thick pink frosting that we could get in Utah.
-When I see Zonkers, I always think of Dad. When he ate those, it was the first I’d seen them.
-I loved Dad’s mission stories. He told them just right.
-Dad’s little munching dance= we’d all stand around the kitchen island, chatting and munching, and Dad had a little side-to-side sway with a little shoulder bounce. We’d all follow along and end up “dancing” around the island as we ate.
-Dad loved having parties at the house: firesides, single’s game nights, after-game parties…
-Dad and fancy/fast cars go together. He loved his car “collection”. Fun rides.
-I liked watching Dad’s Mission Prep. class as he taught my brothers and sisters.
-I remember feeling so lucky when Dad took me on a dune buggy ride in Glamis.
-I remember dancing with Dad to “Sunrise, Sunset” at my wedding.

I'm grateful that I have many more treasured good memories.

Maybe my roses have recently bloomed so perfectly, holding their beauty for over a week in honor of my dad. =) Might have to do with some of the fertilizer.