Like this:

I guess I’m feeling a little nostalgic.  I’ve been thinking a lot over the past several weeks and I’ve been thinking about how I grew up.  I’m watching my kids as they grow and it makes me wonder, “Did I act like that?”  I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I did with my mom and dad as I was growing up and just thought I would jot some of them down.  I’m going to start with dad.

For those who don’t know it, I’m adopted.  I think that makes me pretty special.  My mom and dad, Jim and Erma Wiginton, decided that they wanted to adopt me so they drove from the Dallas area to Amarillo, TX to pick me up.  I’ve always heard the story about how dad got a speeding ticket on the way home after picking me up.  They’ve still got the ticket after 33 years!

Dad and I share a special bond that I’ve passed on to my son, Carter.  My grandfather’s name was Doyle Wiginton.  Dad is James Doyle, I am Richard Doyle, and Carter is Carter Doyle.  I’m hoping that name continues through the family for many generations.

I remember living in Garland and dad teaching me to mow.  I would follow behind him with my plastic mower while he did the real mowing.  After living in Texas for five years dad got transferred to Tulsa where I lived until I graduated from high school.  It’s crazy some of the memories you can think up when you reflect on your childhood.  Dad had a hobby for wood working and shared his passion with me.  He always let me go into the garage with him and work with the power tools (insert a Tim ‘The Tool Man’ Taylor grunt).

I remember dad being one of the coaches for my baseball team and the many hours of practice we had in the back yard.  I can’t tell you how many times we played catch.  And I still played catch with him even after he busted my lip open with ‘one last throw’ before dark.

I remember numerous times going with dad to work, either at his office or going to stores with him to help him with his resets (he used to work for Kraft).  At his office my sister, Kathryn, and I would play hide and seek in the back warehouse area.  At stores, dad let me help him stock the shelves.  I enjoyed watching dad work because, if you know him, he was a great salesman.  He still is.  He never meets a stranger and can talk to just about anyone (including talking his way out of speeding tickets!!).

Dad and mom were always super active in my life, whether attending Cub Scout meetings with me or going on every single band trip with me in high school.  Most people would hate to have their parents follow them around during high school, but my parents were so loved by my friends I kind of enj0yed having them around.  Mom and dad were band presidents and helped with so much during my three years in marching band.

Dad was always a hard worker and when I told him and mom that I wanted to attend Harding University they stepped up and helped with the bill.  He never let me go without.  I guess you could say I was a little spoiled.  But dad enjoyed spoiling.  Now that I’m older and I have my own family he is still spoiling and loves to introduce his grandkids to his friends.

I love my dad and there is so much that I could say about him, but I’m going to keep a lot of it for me.  I just hope that I can follow in his footsteps and be a dad like he was and is for me.  He taught me how to live a good life, how to talk to and respect people, and to just have a good time.  Thanks Dad.  I love you.

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