dad

Yesterday we celebrated Hani Abdelmessih (2/19/1949 - 5/16/2025)

He was a gentle man. Soft-spoken. The word everyone says of him…kind.

Born in Cairo, he was the second eldest of five brothers.

As a child, he loved the beaches of Alexandria.

As an adult, he brought his children to the beaches of Florida where we developed a love of the ocean.

He spoke fondly of Beirut before the war and later in Holland where he bartended during the year he awaited passage to America in his early 20s. He always knew he wanted to come to America.

He was a graduate of the Egyptian Police Academy but did not want to follow in his family’s police heritage. He wanted to fly.

He eventually did. Cessnas. He sailed boats.

He loved animals. His daughter became a veterinarian.

He beamed at his 4 grandsons.

He took joy in his 2 children.

It was like a game to make him laugh because boy could he laugh. He howled. I get that from him. My kids laugh-cry so hard when I get going.

That’s my dad in me.

I can be oblivious. I’m a daydreamer.

That’s my dad in me too.

My mom was recently annoyed with me. We talked for awhile and resolved it. I was disappointed in myself because it was a matter of me being once again oblivious. She sincerely forgave me. And she said something that I know I was born with.

“You have no malice. You can be dumb but you're kind. That is your father.”

It’s time to rest dad. I love you.

And look at that suit…I know you’ll stay groovy.

☮️