This Fathers’ Day is extremely poignant; my parents will be celebrating their 86th birthdays this summer and will be married 66 years this fall. Amazingly, even with a longer life expectancy now than those many years ago, and that they are both cancer survivors, it is somewhat miraculous that they still have the verve and energy to do so many new things together. My Dad, when I was a kid, seemed to be a man of steel. Now, he enjoys sitting and watching TV, or sitting on the porch with his paper.
But, he likes to play with the little yip-yaps which bark their greetings to him when he visits. He always was a dog-lover. He worked hard all his life and now he earned his retirement. My Mom, all 4’10” of her, dotes on him still. She will make an Italian omelet, with parmesan cheese for his breakfast, or a ham and cheese sandwich for his lunch. She makes certain there is some Sam Adams in the house at all times.
As one who tries to observe things around me, I take all this in and look at my parents as if they were from a day gone by. After a bit, it truly is a movie from a time in Early Americana, perhaps a Norman Rockwell scene, or from the movie, Life With Father. It matters not: they are my parents and I am proud of them. I am glad they are still here, healthy in a geriatric sort of way. My Dad, if the mood strikes him, will get up and sing Sinatra, like he did in the 60s and 70s, reaching notes I can’t hit anymore. He still loves the music from the Big Band era and can tell a story of where he was when he heard the song the first time.
There is more I could tell, but I won’t. Instead, I raise my glass and salute the man who made me write the Latin Glossary, redo a report because ink eradicator was unacceptable, and gave me the value system by which I live today. Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad… I cherish each day you are still here to listen, to advise, to teach us all by the powerful outlook you still exemplify to live your life. Thank You and God Bless!
The following was originally posted on June 14, 2013 in Frankmchalesviews.blogspot.com
Father's Day Tribute
Hallmark has pushed the holiday of Fathers’ Day since before WWI, in order to have us care to send the very best to our Dads. On Sunday, June 16, we celebrate that great day again.
In 1910, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington held the first Fathers’ Day to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent. This tradition slowly grew legs, with various Presidents granting unofficial proclamations until 1966, when LBJ signed the first official proclamation making the third Sunday in June that year, Fathers’ Day. Finally, in 1972, President Nixon signed legislation making the holiday permanent.
We celebrate the day to pay homage and respect to those men who are fathers, to those men who offer parental guidance to children who don't have a Dad in his or her life, and others who are there as surrogate fathers, generally. It is as important as Mothers’ Day, a day we honor our moms for all the things they do for us.
My Dad was hardworking, sometimes working two jobs to take care of his six children, four boys and two girls, and our stay at home Mom. In those days, there were larger families, with five or more children in each, and moms, generally, stayed at home to care for their children. Day care in the 50s and 60s was non-existent, certainly only in its infancy.
But he was home for dinner most nights, as his part-time job was two nights a week and his days off from his full-time job. He was able to coach our little league team while his sons played and later, umpire for several years after we were done. He was there some afternoons and almost every Sunday, to drive two of my brothers and me to deliver our paper routes.
He taught us that working hard was a value that was respected and appreciated by supervisors as a great work ethic. I have tried to pass this on to my children and I am proud to say, that they, too, have great work ethics.
My Dad, and my Mom, who have been married 63 years, will both be 84 this summer. Mom still tries to act like she is 54 (lol) but my Dad is starting to show his age, physically and mentally. But that's ok because he has lived a long and hard life, and has much to show for his efforts.
So, Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad, and to all the dads out there, young and old. Enjoy this day because even our government says you can. No matter whether you have to work today or not, make it the best ever!
And have a dog with kraut and Jack on the rocks with a twist of lime for me. After all, you've earned it!
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