Every minute counts

For the past year or two, I have been bugging my dad that it might be time for him to give up life in small town Wyoming, and come down to Colorado to live with me.  While my dad is still pretty spry for an old guy,  I still wanted him closer.   I worry about him being so far away from a doctor.  I worry about him navigating icy roads in his Toyota truck.  I worry about him eating only Dinty Moore Beef Stew out of a can.  Finally, this fall, I won.  (as I had done many times as a teenager!)  Hank gave in, packed up his little green truck and moved in with me.   During this time, I have learned some pretty interesting things about my dad.  He is full of stories I have never heard before. This blog is for me, my children, and those who love their dads.  Hopefully this will be the place that happy memories are shared.  That history is kept and that many many years from now, the life and times of Hank will be alive and well!

I start with my parent's engagement photo.  He was a young American and she was a bright German girl working for the Army Chaplin.  The first time he saw her in the office, he looked her square in the eyes and said, "I am going to marry you someday!"
 To which my mom replied, "Stupid Americans!" 
 I share that story for two reasons:  One, so that you know my propensity for sarcasm is genetic, and that you be inspired to look for the joy along the way, as you may find happiness in the most random of places.  Hank and Dottie taught me that. 

I won't be traveling in an organized, neat, year by year manner- rather taking little stops along the way where my dad takes me.  Sometimes a TV show, a meal, a song, or the time of year sparks a memory for him.  Come take the journey with me, the one that has lasted for 83 years so far- The story of one Henry Travis Werner.  A short kid from Highland New York who lives an amazing life.