It’s my dad’s 70th birthday tomorrow, and the party is tonight (Saturday) with all his siblings, extended family, and friends in attendance. It’s sure to be a great night! I’m hoping that with all his family around him, he’ll open up a bit more, and we’ll hear some stories we’ve never heard before. My dad has always been a challenge to get to know (aren’t all Irish dads?). He rarely talks about himself, and when you ask him how he is, his default response is, “Sure, I’m fine.” I remember getting frustrated during lockdown when I’d call the house phone to check in with both my parents; he’d always pick up, and I’d try to talk to him. A few seconds into the conversation, he’d say, “I’ll put you on to your mother,” and he would be gone.

Having retired a few years ago after almost 40 years on the job he has been moping around the family home more. When I’d call to the house, I’d be able to corner him for a chat, but I still wouldn’t get much out of him. Our relationship is a topic that I’ll be digging into over the coming weeks in counseling. With my husband and I going to be a dad’s (hopefully soon), on one hand I’ll be craving advice from him, but on the other, I don’t want to follow his example. Maybe this evening will reveal more, but in the meantime—Happy Birthday, Dad!