My dad and I have a quiet relationship. When you live with someone, you don't always feel the need to be in constant chatter. This is true for my dad and I, but it goes beyond that. We are both quiet people. Silences aren't awkward for us, especially in the company of those close to us. We are happy to simply be around people we love.
That being said, my dad and I don't have many conversations. We will chat throughout the day, but it doesn't evolve into a whole lot. Most of the time, we just sit together. We will be in the living room, my dad watching TV and I will be on my computer or reading a book. Even though it's almost as if we are alone because we wouldn't be doing anything different if there was not another body in the room, I have come to cherish our 'hang outs.' I look forward to the evenings when my dad gets home because it's nice to just have a familiar presence around me.
I know so many people say that they have the best dad. Just this past June, we saw instagrams posts upon facebook statuses of how everyone is so lucky to have their dad and be able to celebrate Father's Day with them. I often like to think of things on a global scale. Who truly is the nicest person on the planet? Who is the oldest? Who is the funniest? Some things are very subjective, but if there was some sort of universal standard, someone must be at the top. Well, I think if there was a universal scale for the best dad, Dan Stoecklin would most certainly be at the top.
Everyone who knows my dad claims he is one of the greatest guys in the world. Even my mother raves about her ex-husband, my dad and how genuine he is. I don't want to assume, but I imagine that a lot of what he does, he has me in mind. He works a ton and has a side job during the warmer seasons cutting lawns. I once asked why he kept doing this, and he told me it was so he can keep me 'living in the lap of luxury.' Whenever I ask what he wants for his birthday, Father's Day, etc., he always tell me all he wants is my health and happiness.
I hope that the person I spend my life with is half the man that my dad is. Selfless, genuine, and good. I think it's very easy to have trust issues today, even if there has not been anything to trigger it. So many people appear good, but ego (among much else) can get in the way of truly living as a good human being. But not my dad. It's such a simple word, but he is so good.
As I sit here and write this article about my dad, he is sitting across from me, watching horse races on the TV. He looks over at me and gives me a head nod. I nod back -- a typical exchange between us, kind of just to say, "Hey, I see you over there. Love ya."
