September 11, 2013 Wednesday Afternoon

This morning I was up by 6:30 AM.  Fed the dogs and gave Vito his shot.  Someone from the window place for the new upstairs windows was to be here between 10 and noon to measure all the windows.  A little before 9 AM I got a call saying he would be here in 20 minutes.  Early but OK.  Got through the window measuring and was out the door by 10:30 AM to go grocery shopping.  Bought way too much food and now I wonder why since I will have to cook it all.  The frig and cabinets are stocked.  I shouldn't have to buy anything but milk and fresh produce for a long time.  Everything looked so good today and of course it was all 'on sale'.  Took a short nap with the dogs this afternoon as I reflected on an email I got from my father today.  My parents have not always been supportive of my lifestyle or relationship.  They have come a long way.  Today I got the following email from my father:

Good morning Dave,   I went to a meeting last night and found it very interesting. It was held
at our church but it was for the Oconomowoc community  There were about 75 to 80 people
there.  The subject was "Fostering Understanding Creating Awareness"  It was for Parents
of children who are LGBT..I found it very interesting, and wish I would have understood and attended a panel discussion like that 25 years ago. I would have had a better understanding and
awareness of your issues. I have always been against same sex marriage, but after last nights
meeting I have a greater understanding, how two people of the same sex or not, if they
have love in there heart and are happy being together that is the important part of life. After hearing
some of the stories of how these parents had to deal with understanding there children and
how the children were so afraid to come "out of the closet" not knowing how things would turn
out..I am happy for you and Tony and have a much greater understanding of your values in life.
(mom did not go with me and I wish she would have} 
Thanks Dave for being you.   with love to you and Tony     Dad

Wow.  My reply to him was 'the next thing your going to tell me is that your a democrat'. 
For all those out there who continue to say 'it gets better'.  It still gets better even when you are 52 years old.  You don't have to be a kid in high school to feel the joy of a parent telling you in writing he took the time to understand your relationship.  I honestly cry every time I read his email.  It made my day and I will cherish it until the day I die and remember him after he is gone.  Making sweet and sour chicken with a salad tonight for supper.  Will spend the night watching Big Brother, X Factor and America's Got Talent results before going to sleep.  It was again hot and humid in Milwaukee today.  To hot to open the windows and the air conditioning has been on all day.  Hopefully tomorrow the humidity will be less and it will be cooler so I can open the windows.