Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Best Snowball I Ever Threw

(No disrespect to my current husband, but this is a picture of me and my dad at my first wedding. It's the only one I could find of us together. My mom has tons of photos at her house I really need to remember to go through sometime. So bare with me, one of these days, I'll get new photos, err, old photos.)

The current weather conditions remind me of my childhood when school would shut down for the day. Typically dad would have a day off too since he worked outside when I was in junior high. We would traipse up to my grandparents house together so he could have a cup of coffee with them. I loved those days. However, usually on the way there or the way back he would hit me with a snowball. Without a doubt, near the facial area too. I hated that. No matter what, I could never, ever hit him like he hit me. Even though he drove me crazy during softball season to play catch, I never could get my aim down throwing snowballs. EVER!

That is until this particular day. The snow gods blessed me as they never will again. My grandparents house was just up the hill from ours. Not a big hill, not a small hill. In the snow, deep snow, it felt like a big hill. If I remember correctly, dad left a tad earlier than I did. He was almost to the bottom of the hill as I just approached the top of the hill to walk home. Knowing I'd never get him, I created my only amazing, magical snowball.

Dad was walking his usual stride in the snow...hands in pockets, cap covered head down, walking fast. I pitched that snowball watching it make the perfect arch in the air. To my amazement it travelled the length of that hill. I continued walking and watching. My beautiful, magical snowball landed between the back of my dad's neck and the collar of his coat. It was cold. I wigged out because I knew what was coming. I lost control and couldn't stop laughing. When I laugh, I lose contact with anyone and anything. I hit the ground. A very short time later my dad was burying my head in the snow. Saying the whole time, "I'll getcha, I'll getcha!!!" His getcha's were never fair. How many times did I have to be gotten before I could ever get him back, then he'd quickly return the gotcha. I could never keep up.

Remembering that perfectly pitched snowball that day always warms my heart when I see the falling snow.

15 comments:

Gayla said...

Beautiful!!! I can just picture it!!! Hugs.

Marie Rayner said...

What a wonderful memory. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Love the wedding picture. I have one very similar of my first wedding as well. I keep it because I know I will never be that pretty or that innocent again and sometimes I just like to remember when I was! xxoo

akawest said...

What a sweet story. It's wonderful that you can recall having fun in the snow with your dad.

Terri Steffes said...

That is so cool, to have that memory of your dad. (Totally love the wedding hair!)

A New England Girl said...

Aww, what an AWESOME memory... :)

Domestic Designer said...

What a great memory! Thanks for sharing it with us all.

Anonymous said...

Awesome... just very awesome... StLouisAunt

Justabeachkat said...

A very special memory! Love the "old" photo too.

I've been a bad blog friend lately and haven't visited much. Sorry. Between the holdiays, planning the wedding, house guests, trips, etc. my time has been crazy busy.

Hugs from the beach!
Kat

Sue said...

What a great Dad story....my father would have killed me...When me and the Boss were dating we had a big snowfall and we were out in front of the house throwing snow at each other....Siggy came to the door and in his very stern voice said...."It's not that funny, get the hell in the house".....He would do this when I would watch the Macy's Parade and I would laugh when the winds would blow the balloons to the ground....He didn't have much of a sense of humor.....I'm hoping I make up for it.....Sue.

♦Down Willow Lane♦ said...

LOL!That was so funny to read!

Brenda Eason said...

Loved reading this..I love a fun dad that can share time with his girl. Take care girl...been missing you.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Hi Lisa...I have been a bad blogger. Haven't been by to see you in a long while!

I absolutely love this post. A wonderful story about good memories!

They say the snow is to return, in the next day or two...my right shoulder is doing a little talking too, so what the weather guys are talking might be true!! Enjoying the sun while it lasts...not had enough to suit me this winter.

Gayla said...

How have you been!!!!! and where???? Miss you!

Anonymous said...

A sweet daddy moment. Sure miss my dad and would take a snowball in the back of the head from him any old day. Great memories... thanks for sharing!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

What a precious memory!
~ I love the fact that this is what comes to mind with a fresh snowfall.