Dad was a very fun dad. He enjoyed games. He loved playing with my brother and me. When I was little, Dad and I would always have a game of hide and seek. Mom would assist me in hiding as soon as we heard the car coming into the driveway. I would hide in the hamper or the cupboard above the fridge. Dad would call out, and I would inevitably giggle – giving away my spot. 

Dad loved to yell with us on rides at Disneyland. He was always the life of the party. But as Dad’s cancer treatments became more severe, he laughed a bit less and was much quieter. He struggled to want to go with us to Disneyland as he didn’t like walking or heat. The last time we were at Disneyland together, my Mom rented Dad a red disability scooter. He was like a kid in a candy store. Our family loves Disney bound, which means dressing up like a Disney character without wearing an actual costume. We all went as Toy Story Characters. Dad and Mom were the little green aliens from Pizza Planet. One of the images I keep in my mind’s eye is Dad racing toward the Guardians of the Galaxy ride on his red scooter with green alien eyes on his head and all of us speed walking/running to keep up with him. He made people laugh and smile everywhere he went. He loved to say, “I want to be a fun, Papa.” Dad valued being a fun father and making life enjoyable. He aspired to live in a space of delight for God and everyone around him.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4

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