June 16, 2024 - Father’s Day

• Brush: Yaqi Surf 22mm
• Razor: Yates Precision Manufacturing - 921-M
• Blade: Gillette - Nacet
• Lather: Proraso - Eucalyptus Oil & Menthol Shaving Cream
• Post Shave: Clubman - After Shave Lotion

Today's Theme: Believe it or not, I was born after 1908, so Proraso was a perfect choice for today. I’ve been using it a decent amount for the Lather Games and I’ve been enjoying it a lot.

As for Father’s Day, my dad passed about 2 and half years ago. He had chronic health issues related to the military and his own personal choices (e.g. smoking). When I was growing up, as most teenagers do, start to become annoyed with their parents because my dad wasn’t perfect, but nobody is.

As his health started to decline over the last year of his life, I really started to try and make an honest effort to be closer to him. We had a vacation planned to California, but his health landed him in the ER for a couple days. Miraculously, he got good enough to meet us out from the Midwest and we got to visit Yosemite together. This was kind of a defining moment for us because we both kind of opened up a little bit to each other, which neither of us were accustomed to.

Fast forward 8 months, I’m leaving for class in the morning and he wishes me a happy birthday as I walk out the door. He could hardly breathe, but he still managed to tell me happy birthday. Later that day, he was admitted to the hospital and succumbed to his cancer a couple weeks later. He was intubated, so the happy birthday wish was the last thing I ever heard him say. A testament to a father’s love in spite of his own acute troubles.

I hope all the dads, step dads, grandpas, male legal guardians, and fatherly figures all get celebrated duly today. I’ve learned a lot about my dad after his death and he was a much better man than I ever knew. He had his own issues but he always did his best to take care of my siblings, his grandchildren, and I. Remember to hug the men in your life while you still can, this shit goes by much too fast.

Today's Challenge: No thanks.

ROTY