Day 175

While day 175 is a milestone on the blog - today is a sad day for me. Today, my dad would have been 64 years old. This day is even more strange to think about because I am now living in his house, temporarily at that, and walking the same steps he walked every day. I'm in his city, and there are reminders of him everywhere. Whether its the DQ on Chagrin where he took me after my little league games, The backyard where he taught me how to catch a football and catch a baseball, or the TV room in which he sat everynight in his robe and slippers watching sports. Its a sad day for us all, but having the kids here really helps, especially for my mom. We went as a family to the cemetery this afternoon to see him a spend a little piece of his birthday with him. It just is so hard to see his name their in the ground. I never just go there, talk to him, and leave. I have the same routine. I stop and see him, walk over to my Grandparents, then see my Grandpop (dad's father) and then back to my father for a while where I sit, collect my thoughts and work myself into a good cry. It is like clock work.

While I did have a nice weekend watching my cousin Amy get married, I wanted to dedicate this blog the memory of my dad and to perhaps his last best birthday, his 60th. Dad's 60th birthday was a full celebration for him. I'm glad we did what we did, because he had such a zest for life and this fed right into it. We had a family trip, including my aunts, uncles, and cousins to Cedar Point, the best amusement park in the country. We went on ride ride after another, one bigger than the next, and till we couldn't ride anymore. At night, we went to Uncle Kenny's house where he was the grill master for a huge steak dinner. Dad, who loved steaks about as much as anyone could, was presented with a 40 oz porterhouse by Uncle Kenny. He just loved it. The Kamakazi's were flowing, he ate like a king, and had an amazing day. The best part was yet to come. His actual birthday was on a Wednesday, MD and I flew in as a surprise. Mom told dad that they were supposed to meet a city tour guide outside of the Jake to see the new Guitar exhibit all of the city. We came around the corner with a video camera and he was blown away. He thought that we just flew in and we were going to the game. We then told him we were going to dinner at the Terrace Club before the game and he was so thrilled. Little did he know what was to come. At the end of the meal, the Indians head of P.R. Bob Dibiasio, who my dad knew, came over to the table and said hello. He sat down next to dad and said "how does that arm feel?" My dad looked at him quisically, and MD said "get ready dad, because you are throwing out the first pitch tonight." He was beyond excited. Dibiasio then took dad down with him to the field. He was in the Indians dugout and shook hands with many of the players. My favorite was how he told us that Jim Thome stuck out his hand and said "Hi, I'm Jim" and wished him good luck in such a nice way like a neighbor would. So the time came. Most people throw the pitch from in front of the mound, so they don't bounce it home. Not dad, he went right up on the mound, toed the rubber, and threw a strike down the middle to Tribe Utility man John McDonald. We got the whole thing on tape. It was such a great moment and he was in all of his glory.

August 7th, 1942 Robert Bruce Dery was born. He passed away on November 24, 2004. He lived 62 of the fullest years a man could live. He loved my mother unconditionally and was a model husband. He was incredible to Matt and I as a father. He did everything he could for his kids. He is missed by his many adoring loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't reference a Bobby D story, bad old joke, or time they spent laughing and smiling with him. I miss my dad more than words can say.

Day until we move into our house: 25
Song of the Day: "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon - Dad's Favorite Song.