My Dad - Ted Lynn Copeland

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking a lot about my dad. He was tall, 6'1" and handsome - a charmer. Greg is my dad.

I have lots of stories to tell but this picture reminds me of the story of how my mom and dad met. He had a barbershop next to a grocery store in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. My mom used to pass by his shop to get to the grocery store and he would notice her as she walked by. After about six moths of watching her go by, he finally had the courage to pursue her. He followed her into the store and threw a note in her cart telling her that he would like to go out with her. I just imagine this big puppy dog following her around. That part never changed. I think he always adored her.

I know that he adored his girls with all of his heart. I never doubted that he loved me and that Gwyne and I were the apple of his eye. He was a black belt in Judo and we spent a lot of my early years at the gym and with his sensei. His sensei gave me and my sister our Japanese middle names.

After he was ill, he spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV, and I would lie down beside him and we would talk. He would teach me about all kinds of things. I remember how excited he was about the Apollo space program and we watched the moon landing together.

When I had the chicken pox and stayed home for days, he taught me how to shuffle cards, I can do that bridge thing because of him. He taught me how to play pool although at the time, I could barely look over the table. Everytime I play both these I think of my dad and smile.

Oh and yes, the Lynne of my name is no accident. I was going to be Lynn whether I was a boy or a girl. Thanks Dad :)