Daddy-isms

As I'm mentally preparing for my father's funeral, I've been trying to think of his "catchphrases." Things that other people might not "get," but the family knows what they mean. I'm sure I'll think of more, but these are a few lines or events or ideas that will stick with me.

• Stay with the group! Started when we went on school trips, then it became part of the standard good-bye.
• Don't breathe! When we were kids and it was bitter cold out, he was just trying to keep us healthy as we dashed from the house to the car. It made sense at the time!
• Depending on the weather... Travel plans were always tentative until we knew what the weather was on that day. The Weather Channel was checked often.
• Stove off? Candles and incense out? Before we left the house to go anywhere, there was always the final safety check. It's stuck with me. I check the stove every day...and I hardly use it!
• Watch for deer! It's Wisconsin. Always a good idea to stay alert, especially when travelling north or at dusk.
• Yeah, OK. My dad was never much of a "phone" guy. He might answer, but it was understood that Mom would be getting on the extension shortly. But when the conversation with him was over, he would never say "good-bye." It was always an "OK" or something.

So I guess I'll simply say to him, "OK, Daddy."