Old? Who? Me?: Remembering dad

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

TRIBUTE TO FATHERS

Tis Father's Day Me Hearties and

We Must Give Him His Due.

So Lift a Glass of Spirits Now

And Toast Thy Sire Anew.

Yeah. go Dad! Father's Day is a fairly recent designation which was invented purely in response to Mother's Day. Of that, I am certain. You know men. We can't even be pregnant by ourselves anymore. I read the other day that they have now discovered that men who learn they are about to become fathers go through some of the same symtoms as the women. Now give me a break!

Well, let's face it. Dads are important. Many families are without dads and thrive O.K. but not as lucky as the nuclear family. For some of us, our dads had a terrific impact on our lives. For many, especially daughters, dads are the favorite parent. For others, not so much.

If you were born to parents from Sweden, the father was the ruler and big man of the house and

his wife was there to serve him and his children. I was raised in such a house. Not only was he the father and man of the house, but a priest as well. {They call them that in Sweden instead of pastors) Someone asked me once if I loved my father. Yes, I did, but I respected and admired him more. What he did in his lifetime as an immigrant coming from Sweden in 1901 is truly amazing . Not speaking English to becoming a public speaker ( and very good at it too), holding positions of consequence in the communities he lived in, being a loved and respected pastor leaves me in awe of him. I cherish his memory.

As for my own children's father, I don't have to wonder what they think of him at all. I believe they all loved him with all their hearts. I picked a good man for them. I believe he is the favorite parent. They always talk about how they could come to him with their problems and he always had help for them. Me, they talk about my cooking!!!!

They all came home for his 75th birthday. Here are a few pictures of the before going-out-to-dinner activities with Julie and her dad. And one picture of the Michigan State basketball game down in San Antonio just a few years ago. That is little Jordan with him in the stands.