the proud daughter of a man we are all here to celebrate and honor, a man that we all love. Some of you know him as Bob, some as Robert, some as Scottish Bob...MAYBE some names I don't want to know...but Matt, Jenny and I know him as Dad our Father.
It was close to eleven years ago today, when Dad and Gayle exchanged their vows in this very setting. Thankfully, Gayle said, "Yes!" Gayle, always refers to Dad as HER rock (not so sure, but that might have something to do with Sean Connery) However, she is HIS rock and with their union, Dad gained a beautiful soul and daughter in Jenny and two beloved grandchildren: Will and Ella. As grown adults, Matt, Jenny and I can attest to the dedication and role he plays in the name of family and that of a father.
The word "Father," is a verb in many respects. To father; means to bring into the world--anyone can father a child, but it takes a GOOD man to RAISE a child. This good man took on that role when I was three years of age (so that's about 37 years ago, if my math and gray hair serve me correctly.)
When I was five or so, Matthew Ian, my brother was born. He WAS a ginger and would carry on the Morrison name, as the only son of our Dad. The first time the word love appears in scripture is to describe the love a father has for his son* (Abraham to Issac.)
I wanted to share with you a few things you may NOT know about the birthday guy and how he has positively influenced my life :
I have an appreciation for color: any shade of green is forbidden and seemingly always out of style in any form of clothing apparel - thanks to the Kelly green wearing Celtics, the arch rival of the Glasgow Rangers. In fact, to this day I make sure Anderson, Alexandra and Sebastian are never wearing any green (not even a fleck on the sock) when visiting Grandpa.
He demonstrated work ethic and balanced time: I remember Dad never missing a day of work, he progressed with the same company for close to 20 years-something unheard of these days. Yet, he made time to take Matt and I to The Natural History Museum, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Indians games, Rocky River Park, Papa Nicks pizza and summer night walks to the convenient store: where Matt and I would use our change to purchase candy and comics...yes, we were that cool.
He imparted culture awareness: He wanted to make sure Matt and I knew Scotland--having seen it through his eyes and heart. He wanted us to appreciate countries and other cultures outside of our own. True story: only after him ordering pint after pint for me in Scotland, and I keeping up with him -- I found out that ladies are actually meant to drink half-pints in social settings. Drinking FULL pints classifies you as a "ladeete" a female lad. He is always one for equal rights.
He taught me a game that would ultimately change my life: - SOCCER provided me an outlet, took me to college, gave me life-long friends and introduced me to my husband, Andrew. However, it all began with kicking the ball around in the backyard with Dad. When I joined a travel team at eight years old, he respectively informed my coach that he didn't know ANYTHING...shortly after, he was named Head Coach. IMAGINE that!? There was nothing he could do about the donated Kelly GREEN uniforms we played in though!
circa 1988
He inspired a love for books - As a young girl, I used to run my fingers across the numerous leather bound books he had in the bookcases in our house. With all the pages and so many words, I wondered what stories they all held. When I could read fluently, the first book he lent me was "The Hobbit." At times, especially my teen years, I thought perhaps he was Bilbo Baggins.
He encouraged a competitive spirit: he was a ONE man team when we played Trivia Pursuit. Since he knew ALL the answers to the questions we'd lose ALL the time. Boy, it must of taken him days to read and memorize all those cards! Similar to the gameshow Jeopardy, it was him, Alex and the music never mind the contestants or us. I think he and Alex Trebek went way back to their Canadian days.
He taught fairness - during a soccer game, I had been hit in the head and was down on the field while the referee continued play. I do recall, Dad running on to the field and addressing the referee by his name which began with the very capital letter "F" followed by his second name that began with an "A." Needless to say Dad found himself watching the remainder of the game, from the parking lot.
He was the biggest fan and always MY coach: driving to many of my college games whether at home in North Canton, or away...in places like upstate New York, Indiana or Pennsylvania. I used to ask him after the games, tell me what things I could've done better. I valued his opinion and he made it very clear to me that THIS college coach didn't KNOW a thing either. Years later, I found out that he and my teammates middle-aged parents enjoyed playing drinking games in their hotel rooms while all of us girls had a curfew!
If there is one word to describe our Dad, it is: Happy. On our wedding day, Andrew and I had a sign-in table for guests. Dad wrote, "Lots of love and happiness" and in case that didn't sink-in; he wrote in another space, "BE HAPPY LOVE, DAD"...in ALL caps.
There's a Scottish proverb that reads, "Be Happy While Living. For you're a long time dead"
Would you please raise your drink and in honor of our Bob Morrison and Dad, on his 70th day - May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door. Cheers! Salud!
* Smith, A. (2015). Seamless. Nashville, TN: Lifeway Press.
He encouraged a competitive spirit: he was a ONE man team when we played Trivia Pursuit. Since he knew ALL the answers to the questions we'd lose ALL the time. Boy, it must of taken him days to read and memorize all those cards! Similar to the gameshow Jeopardy, it was him, Alex and the music never mind the contestants or us. I think he and Alex Trebek went way back to their Canadian days.
He taught fairness - during a soccer game, I had been hit in the head and was down on the field while the referee continued play. I do recall, Dad running on to the field and addressing the referee by his name which began with the very capital letter "F" followed by his second name that began with an "A." Needless to say Dad found himself watching the remainder of the game, from the parking lot.
He was the biggest fan and always MY coach: driving to many of my college games whether at home in North Canton, or away...in places like upstate New York, Indiana or Pennsylvania. I used to ask him after the games, tell me what things I could've done better. I valued his opinion and he made it very clear to me that THIS college coach didn't KNOW a thing either. Years later, I found out that he and my teammates middle-aged parents enjoyed playing drinking games in their hotel rooms while all of us girls had a curfew!
If there is one word to describe our Dad, it is: Happy. On our wedding day, Andrew and I had a sign-in table for guests. Dad wrote, "Lots of love and happiness" and in case that didn't sink-in; he wrote in another space, "BE HAPPY LOVE, DAD"...in ALL caps.
There's a Scottish proverb that reads, "Be Happy While Living. For you're a long time dead"
Would you please raise your drink and in honor of our Bob Morrison and Dad, on his 70th day - May your troubles be less and your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door. Cheers! Salud!
* Smith, A. (2015). Seamless. Nashville, TN: Lifeway Press.
And here it is live, compliments of Andrew-thankful, he didn't bring the Dora Explorer microphone that he amusingly threatened!
