Happy Birthday, Dad!

You are all quite familiar with how awesome my dad is. Today is his birthday.

Here are some things my Dad has that I have:

1. When I find something that I like, I stick to it. Dad could eat Life cereal every breakfast for the rest of his life and be totally fine with it. This loyalty carries over to the people he loves in his life. It does not carry over to football, seeing as he just sent an article to my mother and me that basically said, "Stop torturing yourself with this whole Redskins-fandom thing...please for the love of God just stop."

2. A quiet demeanor: Dad is quiet, and he uses words carefully. He taught us to say what we mean and mean what we say. I took this respect for language and ran with it. He's probably to blame for my intense love of writing. He is also to blame for my love of crime thrillers (Dennis Lehane, I'm looking at you.) Actually, his mom is probably to blame for that, but that's another story.

(This love of words has not translated into any effort into actually editing my blog instead of word-vomiting and posting. Unfortunately.)

3. A love of music. I, a 20 year-old woman, went to a concert with my dad this summer. And it rocked. Dad taught me that a song can change your day and it's worth it to sit in the car for a few extra minutes to hear that one guitar solo.

4. My height. Well, he's half to blame at the very least. GEE THANKS GUYS.

5. Certainty. My Dad and I generally believe we are right about most things. My Dad is like this because he usually is right about things. I am like this because I am from Washington, DC.

Things My Dad Has that I WISH I Had


1. An ability to master any skill. If my Dad wants to learn something, he will do so and become very good at it. He puts his mind to it and focuses, learning everything from sculling, timber-framing, guitar, bass, to tai chi just because he wants to. If my inability to not run away and hide during Granddaughters Week Crafting Sessions is any indication, I have a ways to go on my ability to master challenging skills.


2. Ability to say the right thing at the right time. My Dad is the real-life combination of all those inspirational coaches you see in movies. Sometimes he does have to let you run through the mud a bit and scrape your knees from falling, but he always knows the exact lesson you need to learn. And he'll tell you when the time's right, and he'll choose his words carefully.


3. Ability to dunk. Okay, so my dad kind of had that until his ankles rebelled against him, but seriously, WOULDN'T THAT BE AWESOME?


4. My Dad knows and full-heartedly believes that you deserve to love what you're doing. My Dad believes in that dream you have, and thinks you should have it. Just take it with a shot of realism, and you're on your way to a Paulson-family upbringing.


So, thanks, Dad. I know you're skiing today, and it's something you love to do. Just don't try to do any flips this trip, okay?