Because of my Father

Because of my father, I do not shy away from a DIY opportunity... especially when it comes to broken toilets.

Because of my father, I can spiral a football. I can also throw and hit a baseball. Unfortunately, I never mastered catching a baseball. Unless you count the time I caught a baseball with my face and landed in the emergency room with a broken nose.

Dad's lil slugger
Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I know a well written letter (love, complaint, or recommendation) goes a long way.

Because of my father, I dedicate myself to hobbies and enjoy them even though I know I'll never become a professional... no matter how many lessons I take, years of practice I put into it, or money I throw at it.

We don't have many pictures of Pops.
He was always on the other side of the camera.
Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I can turn an ordinary "Sloppy Joe" sandwich into a gourmet meal by calling it a "Sloppy Joseph" and draping a dish towel over my arm like a waiter at a fancy restaurant.

Because of my father, I don't try to ride my bike up a steep hill in the lowest gear. Yeah, it hurts more when I petal, but I get up the hill faster.

Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I read consumer reports and reviews. I make sure I know the return policy. I comparison shop everything. I always read the instructions first.

Because of my father, my college dorm room was wallpapered with "The Far Side" comic greeting cards.

Because of my father, I listen to and appreciate the musical talents of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Eric Clapton, The Police, and Leo Kottke. My kids are receiving the same education.

Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, "floating like an empty beer can down a river" is an acceptable style of swimming.

Because of my father, I turned in the best school projects, I wore the prettiest dress at the senior prom, and I had the best Father of the Bride speech of all time.

Not a dry eye in the house.
Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I know the early bird gets to enjoy a cup of coffee in peace.

Because of my father, I know that I will never be able to learn how to drive a car with a manual transmission. If he couldn't teach me, no one can. I've accepted this fact.

Because of my father, I have bluish-grey eyes, thick dark hair, broad shoulders, and long fingers. 

They say I look like my dad...
Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I have a low tolerance for annoying neighbors and will most likely move to a place where there aren't many around when I retire.

Because of my father, I want my daughters to go fishing, walk up and down the aisles in a hardware store, work on a car, hammer a nail, hang out in the reptile house at the zoo, and play catch with their dad, too. Hopefully, they inherited The Hub's hand-eye coordination.

Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my father, I love a good story.

Because of my father, I tell a good story.

I am who I am, because of my father.

Happy Father's Day! I love you Pops!
Photo Credit: Edward Pauksta

Because of my Mother

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, recipes are merely suggestions in my kitchen. Only a 1/4 teaspoon of cumin? Nah, I think it needs more. I also blame the recipe for any culinary disasters. It's not my fault! I followed the recipe!

Because of my mother, I build amazing forts out of old bed sheets.

Because of my mother, I use moisturizer with sunscreen.

Because of my mother, I read stories using different voices for each character.



Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I can watch a movie though my eyelids. I'm not sleeping! I'm listening to the movie and resting my eyes!

Because of my mother, I know the secret to an amazing sandwich is to toast the bread.

Because of my mother, I take pride in little family traditions.

Because of my mother, I obsess about feeding people. Would you like something to eat? No? How about a snack? Are you sure? I can cut up some fruit for you. You're sure you're not a little bit hungry? Oh... alright... here's a sandwich.



This was the only way my mom could get me to eat when I was younger. 
My daughters do the same thing.
I guess acting like a monkey at dinner time comes from my side of the family.
Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I take clues from my nightly dreams. I also believe I have a very strong sixth sense. I just know when something is wrong or someone is in trouble. I feel it in my bones and I dream about it at night.

Because of my mother, I notice everyone's eyebrows. I also know that one should never change their natural eyebrow shape too much. It'll make you look weird.

Because of my mother, I sing to my kids even though I can't sing.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, my kids know the extreme joy of jumping into my bed and pretending the floor is shark infested waters or molten lava.

Because of my mother, I know I fold my bath towels the "wrong way." The way she folds her bath towels so they hang nicely on the towel bar was ingrained into my psyche from an early age, but the way I fold my towels takes up less space in the linen closet. Either way, I think about my mother every time I fold a towel.

Because of my mother, I have a flair for inventing bizarre combinations of bad words when I am really mad.

Because of my mother, I nag my kids AND husband about bringing a jacket in case it gets cold.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I trust my parental instincts.

Because of my mother, I know that sometimes I will screw up as a parent and it's okay. Kids are resilient.

Because of my mother, I leave little love notes on napkins in my daughter's lunch box.

Because of my mother, I am willing to try new things.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Pauksta

Because of my mother, I have natural red highlights in my hair.

Because of my mother, I can laugh at myself.

I am who I am, because of my mother.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you.