- Cassie. Sarkisian
- Jun 20, 2020
- 6 min read
Happy Father's day to every father out there!
Today's the day I gush about my father a little and maybe give him a little hard time about those funny moments we shared throughout the years; that he will also moments he will never live down either. Let me first say , Dad you are my best friend and I love you no matter how difficult you have become in your old age.
Now let me continue chatting about you a little more. I have many many memories with you, some very funny for my benefit and some very sweet memories as well.
My favorite one still to date is that first trip to San Francisco, you know that moment well. It was my first time experiencing the city you grew up in after coming to USA at the age of twelve . I only experienced the city at age twenty - four because I promised if I ever went to the city by the bay , that my first visit would be with you. Back to that special memory where there was so much laughter that ,I lost my own breath and I wouldn't even move much after that. Remember on our last day out in the city, we visited the Sutro Baths?
Where we walked the trail down from the parking lot top side of the lot because you were the tour guide of this trip , I let you lead the way. And it was cold that morning if memory serves me correctly to , you just had a cup of coffee. You said and I quote ," Let's go this way , it will be the shorter way and easier to come back". To find out later we took the long way down but we did get some amazing pictures of the point and finding a heart shape rock in the bay. Then we arrived to the bottom of the baths after an hour and half later I believe, you took me into the cave tunnel after that. I remember having my own skin crawl out of my own body due to not liking narrow places. But you got me there and we I did get some amazing pictures from underneath. And I remember you holding my hand all the way to the tunnel cave until we got wet then you moved out of there faster than I could catch up fast enough either. I remember you saying , " No sense of both of us getting wet ". I said back, " Hey I thought we are a team here. " You said ," Yes, but I can't swim". At least I can say when doubt there is humor in the works, always with you. We wondered around a little more after that, watching people taking picture, birds playing in the baths and watching the waves crash against the hill side. It was a gorgeous day to watch nature work while we took in the moment being together.
The best part of that whole three hour experience leaving the baths. Yes, I know I can hear you saying it already, "Here it comes". I have never laughed harder then ever that day and probably never will never laugh that hard again. Walking up those big wooden stairs to the parking lot which let me reiterate again," This is the Easy part". We were the only ones probably taking thirty minutes to a climb that hill side. We only walked up ten steps with me a step behind you when you said," How many steps are there? Who put these here, I want there name ? And why isn't there an elevator here? " All I could response with laughter and tears forming at my eyes " This was your idea to goes this way . You said you are the expert here." And then you were hold on fence post like you ran a marathon in ten minutes before the steps part happened. People pass us by going either direction, you made it clear who ever was going down the steps while bring out of breath yourself, " You don't want go down there." They would responded with " why sir?" each time. Then you would responded back with ," Because there are no baths down there and these stairs are a b.... to climb".
After reaching the top of the stair case with me holding you up the best I could while making sure the cameras weren't going to fall of my shoulders, that the staircase it's self had at least fifty- three steps because you made sure to count each step. When you reached the top of stairs and had Rocky Balboa moment and reach your arms in the air while saying , " I made it at last, Thank you Jesus and where's the car". Then the famous words came next, " Don't you ever bring me here again , I not walking down the steps or up these steps again. Too many stairs, I need ice cream, where's the car. Oh those tourists don't know what's about to happen to them when they go down and come back, it's not good".
I was almost near the ground at that point because you were saying all of this without missing a breath and yet walking like you did a major work or had a few drinks in the last few moments before walking up those steps. And we all know you don't do that. I had to say, "He's fine, he's just getting a little old for his age". When I said that someone meaning you were walking fast to the car to show me who's the slow one is".
One of the best moments and day of my life and yes I still have the video. And no I won't delete it either, good memories fills the soul up and maybe it will end up on YouTube one day soon.
You are my best friend, partner and crime and yes, you are the best dad a daughter could ask for ! Don't let that all go to your head that I said the best. I love you very much no matter how many days you drive me crazy, I wouldn't trade you for anything.. Maybe just one little thing. I look forward to each day with you , every memory shared and more laughs to come. At least I didn't share the time you got stuck in the lake in Bishop, yet.. Maybe next year I will. I love you more than you ever know and that's a fact.
I am a lucky daughter to grow up with my dad and have a great step-dad as well in life. And I think about my step-dad Danny often because I know around this time each year my little sisters don't get spend the day with him or see him. And his birthday just passed a few days ago as well. But I know he is looking down at us each and everyday, protecting us. My favorite memory with him would be the time when I was a little and I just woke up from sleeping in my big girl bed for the first time as they called them back then. I walked down the hallway to the kitchen to see making pancakes because he promised when he got home , we would have pancakes. And the time we ate peanuts together while putting together a giant Winnie the pooh puzzle together.
And to all my uncles, brothers and cousins in my life you are all great dad's and will be great dad's in the future. I love watching you all with your kids and the bond you have with one of them , very beautiful in my opinion.
I know this year some are experiencing their first year without their dad, brother and grandfather. I wish I could ease the pain the reminder that they are gone. But remember they are gone physically but spiritually they are around always, looking out for you , watching you create memories. They are in the wind, they are the clouds , they are showing you signs they are around as well. I know they are happy to know you, watch you grow up and had the physical time they had with you , teaching you all what they were taught from their father's to pass on the knowledge on to you. If I could loan out my father to you, I would in a heartbeat as but I know it's not the same. And I know, you would return to sender as well.. he can be a handful and he knows it.
Edited statement from my father: " There were more than fifty-three steps , try five hundred and fifty-three steps ".
