With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, I started thinking back to my favorite memory of my dad, Ed Browning. And even though he and my mom took our family on fun vacations, or surprised me and my brother with cool birthday gifts, the simple moments with my dad are the ones that surface in my mind the most. I can remember attending McKinley Elementary School in Kokomo, Indiana. Sometimes Dad would pick me up and take me to McDonalds for lunch. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, but as a kid, getting to leave school to go out to eat was pretty cool! Another time I can remember Dad and I were waiting on mom while she was in a surgery consultation here in Indy. Dad took me across the street from the hospital to a pet store and we looked around. I’m sure he did this just to kill time and to keep me from driving him nuts, but as we looked around, I spotted some kittens. The pet store employee took them out of their cage and I sat and played with them. The next thing I know, Dad purchased one of them and we were playing with it in the grass by the hospital! Again, as a child, it was something exciting! Something you wouldn’t do everyday! Of course, I don’t recall how my dad explained to my mom why he got the kitten (I’m sure that was a fun conversation!). So as I reflect on years gone by for this Father’s Day weekend, I have wonderful memories of times spent with my dad. Moments that he probably never knew meant so much to me. Now that I’m a new dad, I hope to always remember to take time and spend with my son, Reed…regardless of how big or small those moments are. Thanks Ed. You’re a great dad and I love you.
