Yours May Have Been Super Man but Mine Was Popeye

Well it's Fathers Day - the day we all boast about the great dads we either have or had. In my case it's had... As much as I would love for him to still be around, there's nothing but memories left for me to cherish, and today I'm full of em.

Like many daughters, I remember my dad with much love and pride. Remember those younger years out on the play ground when we would argue about whose dad was best? Oh yeah!

"My dad's the best!"

"No! Mine is!"

"Well my dad's like Super Man!"

"So! My dad can beat up Verne Gagne!" (a 1960-70s all star wrestling hero, for those who don't remember.)

Yeah! We all put our dads on a pedestal, didn't we? And while you all compared your dads to a well known super hero, I compared my dad to a lesser known cartoon character. Popeye! Yep! Popeye! My dad was Popeye!

"Popeye?" you may have asked. "He musta liked spinach!"

Oh no! The only thing my dad liked out of a can was ice cold beer!
Anyway, it goes way, way back, and today that memory is so clear, I can almost reach out and touch it! My dad was Popeye!

You see, while I was growing up, often my dad would come home from a long day at work, and strip from the waist up, going down to his sleeveless, tank-type T-shirt, and then wash up for supper. With the washroom being right off the kitchen, us kids would wait at the kitchen table for mom to finish cooking and for dad to join us. I can still see it all - just like it was yesterday.

After a quick swish in the sink, many times my dad would pop out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, just like Tom Cruise with a microphone in Risky Business! He'd raise his hand to him mouth, clench his fist, and then stick out his thumb. Then he'd blow into that thumb like it was some kind of a blow pipe. Our eyes would grow bigger and bigger, as each breath caused his bicept to grow larger and larger! Soon his skinny little arm had the firmest, strongest bicept we had ever seen! What a show! We were all so impressed! We egged him on for more with hoots, and hollers, and thunderous claps! And then - he'd always follow-up with his special musical rendition of Popeye the Sailor Man.

"I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!

I like to go swimmin'

With bow legged women

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!"

Such was the life at the Holtz Family supper table! Yep! My dad was the best!

You know, looking back, I never understood why the other moms in the neighborhood, always gave us a dirty look when we shared that song with their kids. I guess they just didn't appreciate good talent!

Miss ya dad!