Gifts

As we approach gift-giving season, I'm thinking about my dad.

Dad loved shopping. Mind you, that's not necessarily buying - just shopping. He could spend hours looking and not purchase a thing. That was a little frustrating sometimes :)

Dad was a deliberate thinker in all things. He took his time in understanding. His thought process was slower than mine. This included shopping. He didn't often impulse buy, but rather looked and contemplated for a long time before eventually buying. Or not buying.

This was especially true when we traveled. Dad spent innings in MLB stadium shops, trying to decide if he should buy a souvenir. Or which souvenir he would take home. At gift shops, he would examine all the puzzles (he LOVED collecting puzzles) before picking out one. Or not. And then he would second guess himself and wish he had bought that puzzle.

Every year, Eryn, Dad, and I get up at 3:30 am after Thanksgiving for some Black Friday excitement. Fred Meyer is the first stop, and here's us in 2015, waiting for the store manager to open the doors:

Dad bought little during an entire day of shopping, but he loved the experience. And honestly, it's been one of the highlights of my holiday season for as long as I can remember. I will really, really miss this tradition. Eryn and I are undecided about going this year. It just won't be the same without Dad.

Dad loved giving gifts. He loved picking out something personal for someone. He once presented me with a box of Mickey Mouses that he'd ordered off eBay. They all sit behind me in my classroom.

Last Christmas, Dad ordered Mom some music-themed socks from her wish list. After quite a while of not hearing from the company, Dad got suspicious and did some digging. It looked like it was a sham company, and his money might be lost forever. But he wasn't even slightly upset about being scammed - he was upset that Mom wouldn't get her cool socks! It was all about pleasing Mom.

When the Cubs won the World Series, Dad bought Mom every piece of memorabilia he could find! Christmas was Cubs jewelry, books, calendars, stickers, mugs, signs, etc.

For 30 years, Mom's taught at Tigard High School, home of the Tigers. And because of Dad, she owns bins and bins and bins of stuffed tigers!

She once expressed excitement over a Christmas penguin. Thanks to Dad, she now owns most every holiday penguin available in stores - stuffed, singing, socks, figurines, outdoor, wall hangings, etc.!

Brad is afraid of Bigfoot. He sometimes dreams about the big guy and ends up screaming in his sleep because they are chasing each other. (Side note: It's really disturbing to be fast asleep when the person next to you starts to scream!) Years ago, Dad went to a schools auction and purchased Brad a Bigfoot gift pack (windshield cover, lunch box, figurine, etc.) - because he knew he'd love it.

I could list pages and pages of things like this.

Dad loved to shop and loved to pick out gifts to make other people happy. As I look back at Dad's life, there are a few definite themes. One is making people happy. That was important to him. I wonder how that played into his depression and own feelings of inadequacy. Was that compensating for his hard childhood and mental health difficulties? Was he trying to fill a void in his own heart by helping and cheering others?