Apr 5, 2011

My daddy was a greaser and my mommy was a hippie.

My daddy was a greaser. He slicked his hair back with Brylcreem and wore Old Spice cologne. He smoked cigarettes. He played the drums and harmonica. He listened to motown and the blues and American doo-wop and the British Invasion. He wore white shirts and Levi's and a denim jacket that I adopted and wore in high school. He wore dark brown shoes with laces.

My father taught me to use the potty, and he taught me how to read, and he taught me the importance of good oral hygiene. He taught me the difference between longitude and latitude. He taught me to mistrust authority and religion. He taught me that just because we can't see something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

My mommy was a hippie. She wore glasses and long blonde hair parted in the middle. She smoked cigarettes and sometimes pot. She listened to The Beatles and Janis Joplin and Queen and Harry Chapin. She wore blouses and bell bottoms and a silver peace ring that I adopted and wore in high school. She wore brown thong sandals.

My mother taught me to use the potty, and she taught me how to read, and she taught me the importance of good oral hygiene. She taught me to order my own cheeseburger at McDonald's. She taught me to mistrust authority and religion. She taught me to work hard because life is hard.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.

Much love always, in spite of it all.