Season of Thanks, Dad

Season of Thanksgiving #3 – Dad

Many of you may not know that my Dad isn’t my biological dad. He came into my life when I was about 5 years old. We may not be blood, but to me he is my only Dad. Because he put in the time, because he chose me (along with my mother). My last name is Brown because of him. I was born Remington Southers. My biological father didn’t want me. But Michael Brown did (and undoubtedly got more than he bargained for). And that’s why I call him “Dad”. He’s battled his fair share of demons in his life (haven’t we all) and he’s come out the other side a better man than he used to be. That takes courage. A virtue too many people lack these days.

And honestly, our relationship didn’t really blossom until I was an adult. There were the good times early on when he was courting my mother and their relationship was brand new. I remember picnics in Cades Cove, him teaching me to skip stones across the creek, hanging out in the Copper Cellar kitchen while he cooked and Mom waited tables.
But things changed. The divorce was hard on everyone. It spares no victims and it took years for everyone to get right. But we’re right now. I may not get to see Dad very often due to the nature of his work, but I enjoy my time and talk s with him. He’s a different man than he used to be, and so am I. And it’s safe to say that we have made the most out of the cards we’ve been dealt. The best part of growing up is realizing that your Dad is cooler than you thought he was. Learning all the things he enjoys and learning that I enjoy them too. Cooking, blues, watching movies where things blow up all the time. I think things got easier for us after that awkward transition of me becoming a “man”. Mom’s just cry during that transition, I’m not sure Dad’s know how to handle it, but they don’t cry. They punch stuff, grow beards (or shave beards off), kill things for sport. I dunno, I’m not a father yet.

Fact: Dad introduced me to Quentin Tarantino. It went something like this:
Dad: “You’ve seen Pulp Fiction right?”
Me: “No”
Dad: *Goes and rents Pulp Fiction, puts it in VCR*

That alone awards him 100 points. So, I can say I’m grateful for having a father that I can have a relationship with. A luxury that not everyone is afforded.

And for anybody wondering where I got those cooking chops? Look no further…

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