“Children observe who you really are, your actions and behaviors, not who you tell them that you are … observation is what molds them. Actions must back up words … or words become empty and meaningless…” Ann Dillard
My father does what he says. He leads mostly by example, but also by his words. His words most always match his actions. He is not perfect, but he is someone to be admired for his accomplishments, his integrity, his persistence, his power to overcome obstacles and his faith. He has arrogance tempered with humility and a deep love for his family. He has a code of honor, and ethics and is a provider. As a young child, he recalls the depression and waiting in food lines.
At sixteen, he was recruited out of high school by the White Soxs to be a pitcher.
This gave him the financial resources to buy his parents a nice house.
He went into the Navy, was injured and given a military discharge. He attended college, but after being in the service, was eager to get into the working world, so took an engineering exam and tested out higher than those with advanced degrees. He married my Mother and started his own company that did engineering work around the world.
As hobbies and investments, he has had planes, flown them, had ranches, raised cattle, had show horses, yachts, real-estate and much more. His mind, interests, curiosity and enthusiasm exposed his four daughters and three grandchildren to much. He has attained and enjoys the finest and instilled this in me.
He was married to my Mom for 55 years, until her death10 years ago. Watching my parents dance made my heart smile. He truly loved my Mother and this is so important for children to observe. They were truly soulmates. Dad, at the age of 16, saw her while on a train and told his friends that this was the girl that he would marry. And after three proposals, marry her he did.
There have been times that I got so angry at my Dad that I hated him. I screamed at him. I felt he was so hard on me. I am the first born and it seemed like I got the brunt of everything. He talked to me like a son. He would take me to school and tell me his plans and talk business. Little did I understand then that the wisdom that was being conveyed and instilled in me was imprinted in my character, and now, I am so grateful for those times and memories.
My Dad made all his plans happen and dreams come true. He said. “Stick with me babe and you will wear diamonds the size of acorns.” He accomplished all he set out to do.
He worked hard even with his back issues. He crossed picket lines in Alaska. I recall seeing him put on a gun to leave the house for the trip. At one time, he rolled the dice in Vegas to make his company payroll. He put his employees before himself, as a family, we did without, as his company grew and until there was an abundance of success.
He put a red bow on a Mustang at Christmas for me, when I was sixteen, then gave me a list of all the errands that I must do to help Mother out with my younger sisters. Mother admonished him, ‘let her enjoy her gift without all your demands and rules.’
When Mother was angry at me, she would state. “You are just like your father! A head as hard as a rock.” I replied back like a smarty pants teenager. “Thanks Mom!.” Then she’d say in her fury. “You are just like your Dad, amazing I was even involved in it.”
Dad and I butt heads alot because we are so much alike… I do have traits of my Mom, but mostly I am a Daddy’s girl…
The hard head that I got from my Dad, many times, has saved my life and given me the will to endure during all my life’s trials.
A few years back, I was engaged to a man whom my Dad really liked. He told this man that ‘I always tell the truth and that I am always right’, then the man told me. Hearing this blew me away, in that, Dad and I have times, when we argue lots, and I usually feel like he is trying to prove me wrong.
Thank you Daddy for being my father, in all of whom you are, the good, and the bad examples and for instilling in me your strength, giving me your support, your traits and linage and for sharing the angel on your shoulder when I need it.
My Dad, a man of 6’2” strong and fit… now, in his eighties and because of his back situation is in a wheel chair, but even being in a wheelchair, he is as tall and strong as he ever was as the essence of his character flows through him.
Dad always says, “Your life can change in a moment, so don’t be down for long. Be happy!”
Daddy! I love you so very much….
Happy Father’s Day to all!
Fathers, everything that you are is your message and gift to your children…