she's
actual
size

When I finally crawled out of bed this morning and made my way downstairs, I had one of those sinking oh no feelings.

I flipped on the TV and turned to my 'toon station just in time to see "We'll get right back to our Father's Day marathon!"

Uh oh.

Yep. I forgot. I'm not sure how that happened, what with all the shouting about Father's Day sales and ads and stuff. But I did forget. The problem was what to do about it.

Thinking quick as sludge, I hopped onto my computer and made Daddy a card. It was cheesy, it was cheap, and it was obvious that my ink cartridge was almost dead. (I can almost switch it now!) But I had a card.

Now, what to give him.

I called my mom to check what time she wanted me over at their place, to make sure I had enough time. It turned out that I had four hours to come up with a gift, so I made a mall run.

Wow. Crowded.

Really crowded.

The only thing I could think of was getting him a gift certificate for Border's Books. I mean, I never know what to get my dad. I like getting him useful things, stuff that won't get socked away in a box someplace. Ties are out. Belts... Well, I wasn't sure if he needed a belt or not. He likes hockey and baseball. He doesn't play golf or hunt. And I was never sure what he already had.

Yep, gift certificate it would be.

When I pulled into Border's parking lot, however, I saw a familiar white Honda behind me. No, it couldn't be... We parked, and I got out of my car -

- only to see Min walking towards me, laughing.

Great minds think alike, I suppose.

Last year my dad took me aside right before Father's Day and said, "You don't have to get me anything if you can't afford it. I know you love me." He said the same thing yesterday.

But I had to give him something. Something to show him how much I appreciate him, even if I didn't always realize I would (in the future) appreciate it.

A gift certificate to a bookstore might not be a traditional token of love and respect, but it's all I can do. Sappy sentimentalism would embarrass both of us. But we both understand that.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.