PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Listening to you on the radio in the living room. Then waiting at the window to see you drive in.
When I was in third grade and so proudly told the class the true tale of how Cheboygan got its name. A story I learned from my dad.
You built an N gauge train layout , because I liked the little trains, even though you already owned lots of HO materials
Putting stickers on Clark bars
Putting stamps and address labels on literature
Stuffing literature into yellow "lit hit" bags
Watching Saturday morning cartoons together
Tagging along on Sunday mornings to Mark Ludington's store to buy the paper and donuts (and sometimes you'd let me pick out candy)
Going to the Capitol when you worked for Bus, and seeing the BWL towers out your office window
Some pretty cool Pinewood Derby cars, and the blood, sweat and tears your poured into them
Setting up your old canvas tent and sleeping in the backyard
Yanking on your arm and pleading to " gooooooo" when constituents would talk with you FOREVER.
Attending some awesome sporting events with great seats, like the private box at The Palace, and with the mafia mayor of Pontiac at the Joe.
Taking in a few ballgames at Tigers Stadium with the Tormala family
Laying on the living room floor organizing our Topps baseball cards
Talking like "The Schmenges" for hours and hours
Georgia by way of Virginia
Sleeping at the caboose motel
Getting lost trying to find the hotel in Gettysburg, finally noticing the teeny-tiny "Best Western" sign… then having a gang of bikers swarming outside at night.
Mom being really disgusted with the motel in Springfield Illinois
Your self-appointed role as narrator during every museum visit. I acted embarrassed, but secretly enjoyed it.
The day Kodiak adopted us and you vowed she would stay the night outside
The time the fishing shanty blew away
Staying at the cottage during Tip-up-Town and following all the medallion hunt clues - we were so close!
Not being very happy that you would tease me about the Haunted Mansion every time we drove by it.
SORRY 'BOUT YOUR SUNGLASSES
Even though you can't eat them, you clean the fish for everyone else.
Going on pontoon boat rides and Jolie's first fish
The pride I felt, in the first year I was big enough to wear waders and help you with the dock
Quickly getting over the novelty of putting on waders, and freezing my butt off in Houghton Lake, but still feeling pretty manly about the whole thing
BACK WHEN IT WAS JUST A LITTLE VILLAGE
Picking out a real Christmas tree, then all the swearing involved to get the end cut and bring it in the house all while your hands broke out in a rash.
Sledding down the huge YMCA camp hill was fun, except when you smashed your face on the ice
Christmas Eve's at Grandma and Grandpa's house
Reminding me every year that Santa Claus IS real
Games, games, games: Round Four, Guess Who, Masterpiece, Clue, and more
Playing Gold Rush together on Kirk's Atari computer
Launching model rockets then watching them land on roofs and in trees.
An obsession with Railroad Tycoon, and hours of gameplay
Sitting in the hot tub, watching stars and planes, and talking about life.
Staying up late and watching SNL together
Our brief but enjoyable stint as bowling regulars around my sophomore year of college.
When you and mom and Dana and I went out on the Au Sable river. We weathered the challenges of the river only to return to a dead car battery.
Telling you that you would be a grandparent for the first time, and later watching you hold Dia for the first time
Riding on The Polar Express!
Sharing your love for Spartan athletics - even if it sometimes involves a lot of obscenities
Feeling proud whenever you have a microphone in your hand or step up to a podium.
You set high standards of achievement for me, in school and in life, and have done everything to support me in reaching my goals
Hearing your stories, reminiscences and appreciation of the past, both personal and historical
Your interest and respect for my friends, especially in jr high and high school, that made them feel like family
Listening to our problems, offering advice, and providing a sympathetic shoulder to lean on.