My most cherished memory of Dad is from the summer of 1975. Dad and I were at the storage lot where he kept the sailboat in Conrad, Montana. We were getting the boat ready for the trek across the flat lands from Brady, Montana to Lakota, North Dakota. I was in the cabin cleaning, straightening up, stowing gear and other items. Dad was on the deck securing the rigging and mast for the trip. We were talking back and forth through the open hatches about the move and where we would sail once we got settled in. There was a lull in the conversation, and I called up on deck and said, “Steve can I ask you a question?” He replied, “sure what is it?”. I asked, “is it okay if I call you Dad?” There was a pause, as I am sure he wasn’t expecting that question. He poked his head through the hatch and said, “sure, if I can call you son.”
We hugged and as we pulled away and looked at each other you could see the emotions of the moment were catching up to us. We cleared our throats and in the manliest voice we could muster exclaimed at the same time, “we better get back to work.” I am so thankful that Dad chose to come into our lives. To love mom, and to accept and love Terry and I as his own. It is a great privilege to be his son.
We had many adventures on the TERANDE, TE for Terry and Teresa, RAN for me, and DE for Dennis. From the lakes in Montana, North Dakota, and Idaho, to Puget Sound in Washington. The times spent on the water were special. However, my most cherished memory on the boat, was on the trailer, in a storage lot, in the middle of town, miles from water.
Thank you for the special memories, Dad, you are missed and loved every day. I am so thankful that I had one more day to tell you how special you are to me.
I love you,
Your Son, Randy
(Below is the sailing ship Dad made for me on his scroll saw for my birthday in September this year)
