Barry Dundas: Happy Birthday Dad

My Father turns 70 this Sunday. I tell you this because I am not always good at remembering his birthday. I typically don't forget my mother's because it is near Christmas and I remember my brother's because it is on the 13th of the month and as a child I longed for the day he celebrated on Friday the 13th. I probably forget my father's birthday the most because of the type of person he is. He is so unassuming, never drawing attention to himself. I don't know how many times I have forgotten to call or send a card and he never even reminds me. He makes it easy to forget that October 19th is a special day. This year I will not forget. Seventy is a big deal and we are making a point to celebrate a man who taught me everything I know about being a dad. I know that sounds cliche, but in this case it is also true. I am truly blessed in having a great father.

When I think of my dad I am reminded of something that happened in the sixth grade. My parents had been taking me to wrestling tournaments since I was eight years old. It wasn't just wrestling, but every activity I was involved in, they were always there. They weren't pushy parents trying to turn me into a star athlete (I was far from a star). They went because I wanted to participate and they wanted to be supportive. At this tournament I was doing well, in fact I was ahead of my opponent 13-3 when he did a stand-up. I performed a move to take him back to the mat that I had done hundreds of times before, except this time my arm got caught, my elbow locked and my forearm turned into a 45 degree angle. I knew immediately that my arm was broken, but in my mind I thought, "Do I keep wrestling or should I stop?" A moment later the pain hit and my decision was made for me. My father said he could hear the crack all the way up in the stands. It was then that he did an amazing thing. My dad jumped the rail in the bleachers and came running to the mat to be my side. He went with me to the hospital and stayed by my side until the arm was straightened and put in a cast. Maybe that is what any parent would do but as a child it was more than that. I knew that anytime I found myself in trouble or hurting, my dad would come running to be my side. It was a defining moment in my childhood and in our relationship.

I love you dad! I hope you have a great 70th birthday celebration.