Father's Day

Last year, my mom and sister encouraged me to come out to Tempe to join them in celebrating father's day. My dad didn't know I would be in town, so he was pleasantly surprised. Although my parents had been divorced for nearly two decades, all four of us acknowledged that we were still a family. We had a nice afternoon of swimming, eating traditional Louisiana red beans and rice, drinking beer, and getting caught up on the events in each other's lives.

After dinner, my dad drove me to Sky Harbor Airport so I could catch my flight back to Los Angeles. As I said goodbye, I didn't know that was the last time I would see him. While I wish that I could have seen him again in what would be the last eight months of his life, I find it very appropriate that my last time with him was during a surprise visit for father's day.

Life is full of complicated relationships, especially when it comes to family. No matter what has happened in the past, it's important to honor the people who have played a major role in our lives and to cherish the good times and happy memories. Sooner than we think, those people will be gone and there won't be another chance to make things right. Though I wouldn't realize it for quite some time, I learned that lesson last father's day.