As he walked into my classroom I remember heat rising in my chest, so excited and so proud that THAT was my Dad! He was brilliant looking to me! With long shoulder length blond hair, a light handlebar mustache, a long sleeved collared shirt, and bellbottoms he stood tall like a super hero to me; a rock star super hero! Wow, just recapping all of this is really fun to think about. He had a black Fender Stratocaster guitar on his shoulder and a Peavey amplifier in his right hand. He stood at the front of the classroom where the chalkboard was. He sat his amp down, preceded to plug it in when I rushed to be by his side. From the time he walked in to the time he left I never left his side. I’d never stood so tall as when I stood next to him that day. I still see the classroom exactly the way it was. He fired up his amp and plugged his guitar in and started playing. He played “Under The Double Eagle” and we all clapped along. I watched the other kids gaze in amazement because this, I’m sure, was not something they had seen before. Then he played and sang “Ride Like The Wind,” by Christopher Cross. I’ll never forget that. To this day, every time I hear that song on the radio, that’s exactly where my mind goes…He played and sang on and this 5-year-old little boy became the envy of everyone in his class. My last memory of this day was walking to his car with him helping him carry his gear. I remember him encouraging me and asking me, “Why didn’t you sing the answer part on “Ride Like The Wind?” (The infamous Michael McDonald line) I remember wanting to sing but being too shy. He gave me a big hug, loaded his stuff up and walked me back to my class. He said he loved me and then said goodbye to my teacher and my class and then my larger than life Dad left. That is my favorite memory of my Dad. It never goes away…

When I shared this same story with my Son’s class I fought a lump in my throat as the memories all came rushing back. Isn’t it amazing how life just repeats itself? I handed out tambourines, finger cymbals, and shakers to his class and we sang and sang. I watched Justin’s face a lot as I sang and, even though he was shy just like I was, I think, just maybe, I know how he felt and what he may have been thinking. I realized when it was all over and as I was leaving that I had created a memory just like the one my Dad created for me…I hope my Son always remembers this day…