When I was a boy, we were usually struggling to make ends meet. My parents worked hard to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. While never elaborate, our celebrations were always special because the family was together.

For us, grilling was a real treat…and it was a Father’s Day tradition. My mom would usually buy some chicken (steak was too expensive) and dad would fire up his homemade grill. Dad’s favorite treat was ice cream, so on Father’s Day, we’d buy several containers of ice cream and all the toppings we could think of – plus root beer for floats. Dad always got the first big bowl full – we’d tease him that there wasn’t going to be any left for us. Like I said, nothing expensive or elaborate, but special!

When I was ten or eleven, things were very tight money wise – worse than usual – and worse than we kiddos knew. However, Father’s Day meant grilled chicken and ice cream – and that’s what was on the menu that day.

However, something was different. When it came time for dessert, Dad said he wasn’t feeling well and would have some ice cream later. He fixed the rest us bowls of ice cream with a few sprinkles. We devoured it! My sister asked if we could have seconds (because we always bought extra ice cream on Father’s Day) and Mom said, “Not this year, honey.” It turns out that they could only afford one carton of ice cream and one small bottle of sprinkles. Dad let us have it and went without, because he knew there wasn’t enough to go around.

THAT’s why my Dad deserves to win a Brew-B-Q kit.
Thank you!

My grandpaw and I would head over to the ice company for a bag of ice (late 60’s), while my grandmother would be cooking up the mixture of cream, fresh eggs and vanilla on the stove.

We would get the old ice cream freezer from the garage, the ice and rock salt and start cranking. My arm would tired and a I would stop. My grandfather would come over and ask.. “Is it ready yet son?”.. ” He would laugh, pat my head and take over the task of cranking that old ice cream freezer. He would carefully wrap a towel over the top and we would wait and wait…

That ice cream tasted so good during those hot summer BBQ’s we had in the Central Valley in California. There is nothing more enjoyable in life than being with the ones you love.

Miss you Dad!