To my Dad

Dad,

I really don't know a lot about you growing up. I don't know much about your dad, or your dreams, or hopes. I really don't know a lot about your likes or dislikes. I know little about your time in the military, or how you met mom. I'm not aware of many things that probably make you up.

But I know you tried. I know that your dad was gone a lot. I know that you were the 'man of the house' way younger than you needed to be. I know the Corp was probably around more from a dad point of view than yours was. I know that you loved mom, me and the kids though you didn't really know how to show it much. I know that you were used to adults, and treated us as such even when we were very young-with little patience or tolerance for BS.

I know that you supported me when I joined the Army, telling me the pros and cons. I know that you understood why I came home over Thanksgiving after disobeying a direct not to, hopping a Greyhound, because I needed to see how Mom was and how my wife was hanging in there, living with Mom during her 2nd or third run with cancer. I know that you didn't insult me or my reasons for doing so and calmly told me what the possible consequences were if I didn't go back. I know that you didn't question my service even though I got injured and discharged after a year.

I know that you though that moving out was a better alternative that getting a divorce because some people can't live with their best friend. I know that you taught me how to build stuff, use tools, work on cars when necessary, eat and drink things most people would not, and to appreciate that not everyone's upbringing is where they are forever. I know you pushed me always to do well in school. I know that you worked....a lot......to make sure that we had at least the basics. I know that moving around the country and state was for good intentions even if it didn't always work out, and hey, who can say they've cross country caravaned in a big yellow School Bus?

I know that you love us in your own way. I see it when you look at your granddaughters, when you get cards in the mail from them, and when they say 'Grandpa!'. I know that you are older now, more pensive, and I know that you cried when Mom died-I was there and didn't cry for you. You showed by example the way to do, and not do things some things.

Thanks, Dad.


Happy Father's Day