Dadisms...

Dadism:  Thunderstorms are always worth watching.

From the time I can remember, my dad would bring me outside any time there was a thunderstorm.  We'd stand in the garage, watch it rain, and talk.  When my father was growing up, his mother was afraid of thunderstorms.  In an attempt to be brave and defiant one day when he was a little boy, my father stood in the middle of a huge storm and told her, "I ain't afraid of this."  And so she beat him.  Which is precisely why he stood and watched every thunderstorm that rolled in over the years.  Now it is so ingrained in me to go outside and watch them, I can't imagine not doing it.  And like any good tradition, I usually drag my boys outside to stand in the garage-- or back porch-- and watch it rain.

A few nights ago one of the loudest, biggest storms I've ever seen rolled in.  I mean, it was crazy big.  I sat out on our back porch, with a glass of wine, thinking of my dad, and listening to Ray LaMontagne.  I asked my dad a long time ago if he liked LaMontagne's music and he said, "Nah.  Radio Paradise [the online radio station my father played 24/7] wears him out."  That's so typical of something he'd say, preferring some obscure band to any popular, "obvious" singers, but I still love his music... and this song always reminds me of my dad.  I love LaMontagne's voice and the song and struggle he sings of is just so sad and heartbreaking.  I bet if Dad could listen to it again, he'd think it was beautiful too.  I can't believe Dad's already been gone 6 months...

"I held you in my arms one time... and lost you just the same..."