what would dad think....

I don't think that Fathers day is especially hard, but I can't help having Father's day without thinking of my own Father.

My father was born Michael Lee Hulett October 18, 1946. I suppose he was just like any infant. (His mother would probably say that he was "perfect"). I am sure he did his share of whining, fussing and pooping. Didn't we all? I just know he was a regular human being by birth right. My father had to "become" who he was. His life made him who I remember.

My grandmother, finding herself a young single mother of three, went on about her life working and schooling as hard as a single woman could in the early 1950's. I can't even begin to know what the stigma, prejudice and looks must have been like as she dutifully performed this task unselfishly. Sometime around the time dad was 10 or so, Grandma met a man by the name of Alvin Knight Kestner. They fell in love, married and shortly after, he legally and lovingly adopted my father, Kate and Holly. The good attributes my father had he most certainly learned from my loving, patient, grandfather. Thank God for Alvin Kestner!

In the mid to late 1960s, dad attended The Ohio State University and started diligently studying in the field of Pre-Med. This next part of the story is a little fuzzy, but somehow, dad ended up joining the Navy. He went to boot camp and then to "Corps School" to learn life saving medical techniques used in the theatre of War.

What isn't fuzzy is the fact that dad was stationed at the Navy Hospital in Bremerton, WA in the Spring / Summer of 1969. It was there that he met a young hotty - One Sandra K Weber (an officer) and Navy Nurse. They, (despite protocol) dated and fell in love. They married August 1st, 1969 and started their family quickly...... August 3rd, dad was deployed to Viet Nam.

I was born while he was at war, but I didn't know any better. My first memory of him was wearing a black (maybe dark navy blue) uniform and white hat. I remember seeing a good sized window behind him and it was overcast outside. Many memories would follow. I remember him "liking" the outdoors and he, my mother and my younger brother going on day hikes with home made picnic stuff. Dad made the best fried chicken! Mom, the best potato salad. We went camping at Oxbow park a few times when we lived in Portland Oregon.

In 1976/77, my father spent about 3 months in Seattle at the Police academy becoming a Clark County Deputy Sheriff. As a young boy, I was the coolest kid because of what my dad did for a living. As I got to be High School age, though, some of my rougher "acquaintances" didn't think it was so cool any more.

As I got involved with Boy Scouts, dad was there as often as career would allow as a dad or leader. I found out later in life that dad wasn't particularly fond of "camping", but I never would have known it as I do have many memories of camping with him in the scouts. The 2 years I went to scout camp, 1983 and 1984, dad made a showing for each week. At Camp Meriwether, I still can picture in my mind coming around the trail about 100 yards from my campsite on my way to dinner and running into dad walking (panting) up "cardiac hill" with a "Glad" trash bag with his stuff in it. I was very excited to have him there. I walked him to the campsite, and then we showed up late for dinner.

Dad was the life of the party at both camps - he could tell a good story, and I think he "got" young men. We all enjoyed his company. I enjoyed having "my dad" at camp with me.

Dad was often swift to be "Judge, Jury and Executioner" when it came to our discipline, but he always made sure that afterwards, we had a good long talk and we kids all knew that he loved us. I never doubted it...

While I was out of country, dad went to school part time to obtain his Master's degree in psychology. It took him several years, but his perseverance did pay off. His last years as a Police Officer, he spent as a D.A.R.E. officer working with 5th and 6th graders teaching them about drugs and alcohol. He retired from being a Police Officer in early 2000.

In July 2000, Dad suffered a debilitating stroke. He would never be the same again in this life. We were all very blessed that dad didn't ever truly lose his intellect due to the stroke. We were all blessed to have him in our lives for three more years. I lost my Father July 23, 2003, when he followed the light back to Heavenly Father.

I am truly blessed to have been able to have had him in my life for 33 years. That is a blessing of being an older child.

My wife was blessed to know what it feels like to having a loving father because she knew my father.

All of my children can remember him - Alex truly misses him.... I miss him too.

Dad, if you are in a place where you can see, hear or perceive my feelings, know that I Love You. Thank you for all that you have done for me in my life. Thank you for being the Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather and Son that you were! Happy Father's day pops!