And, of course, I’m winding up this talk about wisdom with a reference to my own dad. My dad, the one who taught me about baiting a hook differently for bass than for catfish, shooting a basketball one-handed with attention to the follow through because, essentially, he is one-handed and ignoring my sister rather than fighting with her when she said something irritating; the one who bought me a giant stuffed raccoon that was my size upon my first ear surgery, took me to my first Cardinals game, was King of the Courthouse to me for years and years, well, on this day, this morning, Father’s Day, HIS day, placed a large cup of coffee and a complete breakfast beside my pillow for me to wake up out of a fitful sleep to see and know that losing sleep over wisdom is far far better than being wide awake and missing it.

From the always thoughtful Scout.

Thanks for indulging me over the years. I know I can be a handful and that I’m odd to you sometimes.

But my greatest gratitude to you comes from you letting me be me. And thanks for wearing the Santa hat each Christmas because you know it pleases me.

Love you …