Larry Greenwood's Birthday Share

January 15, 2010

Today is my father's birthday. Of all the people in the world he is the one who is primarily responsible for who I am. He's a good guy, my dad. I have so many memories and still make memories with him. Now that I am a father I compare my actions to his and try to emulate what he did as a father. Many times I have literally asked myself if this is what my dad would do. As London grows up and has challenges I know she will get through them with my help if I do what my dad did.

One of my most fond memories of my dad is when I was in 2nd grade or so, and I got a book on how to make paper airplanes. I opened it and began folding paper and got completely confused by step two of the first page of the book. I tried for probably an hour to make this airplane which was very basic. By that time I was extremely confused and frustrated and in tears. Dad walked in and said, "Let's see if we can figure this out." He sat down and displayed patience and taught me how to understand the book and I watched him fold that first airplane and my tears of frustration turned to tears of joy. I was so happy and I have hung on to that story. I want to do the same in my future fathering!

Any memory about my dad would be incomplete without this one. I wanted to go camping one summer. I wanted to go for two nights, not just one. Dad worked 4x10s and usually came home exhausted on Thursday nights after driving home from Dugway, about 2 hours away. Even though he was tired that night, he got home at 7:30 pm, loaded the van for camping and took me up the mountain. We didn't even get to where we were going until after midnight. The reward was we got to see an entire family of porcupines crossing a dirt road and that was thrilling for me. I remember when he sacrificed his time and energy. This story is just one of a thousand when he did similar things.

I remember my dad being extremely supportive about my drumming as a child. He would sit in the room as I drummed, not because he was making me (he didn't have to) but because he liked hearing me progress and get better. He bought me my first drumset, helped me put it together and bought me books and sticks. Without my dad I wouldn't have the meager talent that I do have on drums. I remember him strumming a guitar when I was very young which inspired me to learn that as well.

Dad would let me "help" him work on cars. Can't say I learned alot about mechanics from him, but what I did learn from his working on cars is that if I ever wanted to do anything (like fix a car or get an insurance license) all I had to do was sit down and do it. I remember him doing amazing things that he rigged together. I remember him working all weekend just to get his work van running by Monday. I learned how to commit to a project, how to see things through to completion, how to appreciate the quality of good work through watching him work with those cars. Those were extremely meaningful times.

I love my dad very much. There is so much he has given to me to shape my life. His impact will last through my entire life. Happy birthday, Dad!

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