As I write this, I am sitting in a hotel room in Denver, Colorado. I am still in shock in regards to what has happened in my life over the last month. My father, who really stepped up when my mother stepped out, has passed. It was all very sudden. He had been in and out of the hospital since 2004. He’s not suffering anymore, and I take comfort in that thought. 

My father is the reason why I grew to love film. He’s the reason why I decided to study film in college. He’s the person who showed me so many classic films. 

When I was a kid, my family would have movie nights. My father would take my brother and I to Blockbuster. We’d each pick a film that we wanted, but the Movie Night movie was always my father’s choice. All of us, including my mother, would set up a floor picnic with lots of goodies and lots of blankets and pillows for comfort. Then, we’d watch whatever film my father had chosen. He only ever chose the best. He’d choose Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, Gremlins, Jaws, ET; the list goes on and on. 

He was my introduction to, not only big blockbuster films, but to certain horror films, as well. I remember him allowing me to watch Alien at an age that was definitely not appropriate. I would joke around with him later in life and tell him that film is the reason why I don’t want children of my own. The chest-bursting scene really did a number on me. We’d both laugh. 

He’s the one who showed me The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music. He’s even the one that introduced me to the mother of all midnight movies, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. 

He would read my posts on this site every once in a while. Recently, though, he had been reading every single one. He was proud of me, he said. He hyped up my site and my reviews to his friends. He wanted some of my business cards, so he could hand them out to people. He wanted to help in any way that he could. 

He was my rock. He was my brother and I’s biggest support system. My world is quieter without him. I am healing. Slowly, but I am healing. So much of who I am today is because of that man. He was the best father my brother and I could have ever hoped for. He was caring and thoughtful and funny. When he would smile, genuinely smile,  it would light up a room. And, when he would laugh, really laugh, in combination with that smile, it was the very best and you couldn’t help but to laugh with him. 

I miss him every day of my life, and I reckon that won’t ever go away. 

Thank you, dad, for taking care of Kenny and I. Thank you for teaching us both how to be strong and giving us the ability to get through this. 

Lastly, thank you for those Movie Nights. I know it may seem silly to thank you for these. I mean, in the scope of things, it’s not the most important thing. But, without those, without you wanting to share those films with me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Love of film is one of the best gives you ever gave me and I am forever grateful. 

I love you. I miss you. Rest well.