What my dad gave me...
From my earliest recollection, I knew two things about my dad. He worked at Alcoa as an industrial accountant. Since, we have exchanged "industry" for "business", but certainly producing aluminium is industry in it's purest form. He also was a member of the Air National Guard. As a very young boy I can remember saying I wanted to do those two things. He encouraged me toward higher aspirations and there was a length of time when I claimed I was going to be a Naval Doctor. I think he delighted in the double entendre and imagined me inspecting navel's for the Navy.
After one of his two week Air Guard training trips he brought home a baseball mitt and a ball, one each for
my brother and me. It occurred to me recently that I used that mitt more than anything else I had ever been given. It served me through elementary, junior high and high school sand lot games. My son Ryan found it in the garage when he was seven and begged me to play catch. We used it for a couple of more years but it was missing in action the after one of Ryan's little league games. But certainly thirty years of service for a gift of any kind is noteworthy.
When I announced to my dad that I was giving up college full time to get a job he said three words: " Be On Time". Certainly he was a master of being on time for everything. I cannot remember once being late for church which we attended regularly. Being early certainly became a habit of mine. And one I am proud to say my son Evan has taken very seriously.
My dad also taught me to do my own taxes. To the point of teaching me to use the ten key properly, and perhaps a healthy distrust of what the government does with my money. I have done my own taxes every year since. Certainly the last few have been easier with H&R Block on line, but understanding the forms before technology took over gives one a sense of confidence that cannot be replaced by computer programs.
When I was sixteen he bought me a 1953 Chevrolet Two Door Two Ten. A gorgeous car that I cherished.
The first thing we did was change the oil and the spark plugs. Not realizing how loose the valve cover was I remember oil oozing down the side of the block. Terrifying to me but I soon learned that the 235 straight-six
produced by General Motors was a "leaker" and I would lose oil from every connection there was on that
block. Weeks later mom was terrified when I announced I was driving to the beach. To her surprise, the car performed admirably and we made it back in one piece. One special trip involved driving my mom, sister and young niece to Portland for the Rose Festival. Many, many miles, oil changes and years later it was sold it to a guy who I think saw the same thing I did the day my dad bought it for me.
When I became a father he opened a saving account for Ryan. He put money in it for several years until it was folded into an account we used for Ryan's college. There are people who will charge that the frugal do not enjoy life to the fullest. I would counter that security in life is it's own enjoyment which my father certainly has to this day.
I have told my son's several times that fathers day is any day I get to see them. Lately that has not been often being 1874 miles away. I hope they can remember a few things I taught them but mostly that I love them with all of my heart. The depth of which they will not understand until they have a son or daughter of their own.
Happy Fathers Day, Dad. You are on my mind more than you know.
I hope to see you soon.
After one of his two week Air Guard training trips he brought home a baseball mitt and a ball, one each for
When I announced to my dad that I was giving up college full time to get a job he said three words: " Be On Time". Certainly he was a master of being on time for everything. I cannot remember once being late for church which we attended regularly. Being early certainly became a habit of mine. And one I am proud to say my son Evan has taken very seriously.
My dad also taught me to do my own taxes. To the point of teaching me to use the ten key properly, and perhaps a healthy distrust of what the government does with my money. I have done my own taxes every year since. Certainly the last few have been easier with H&R Block on line, but understanding the forms before technology took over gives one a sense of confidence that cannot be replaced by computer programs.
When I was sixteen he bought me a 1953 Chevrolet Two Door Two Ten. A gorgeous car that I cherished.
When I became a father he opened a saving account for Ryan. He put money in it for several years until it was folded into an account we used for Ryan's college. There are people who will charge that the frugal do not enjoy life to the fullest. I would counter that security in life is it's own enjoyment which my father certainly has to this day.
I have told my son's several times that fathers day is any day I get to see them. Lately that has not been often being 1874 miles away. I hope they can remember a few things I taught them but mostly that I love them with all of my heart. The depth of which they will not understand until they have a son or daughter of their own.
Happy Fathers Day, Dad. You are on my mind more than you know.
I hope to see you soon.
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