Drifting Through Paradise

    Its Saturday morning friends, tomorrow is fathers day. When Fathers nationwide will receive cards, tools, lawn equipment, and ties. Some of us will sit, think, and remember the Fathers we had. I like many of you,  lost mine to cancer years ago.

My pappy gave me my first look at the water, but he gave me far more than that.  He taught me to use all my senses in life; sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch and common sense as well. He taught me to use them all together, as one sense; see how the wind affects the water, smell and taste the salt in the breeze, hear the music the wind makes as it sings through the rigging, feel the wind on your face. And the common sense not to spit into the wind. He taught me many things, taught me to appreciate all music and all art, taught the importance of knowledge and wisdom. He instilled in me a desire to read and seek out answers to any question I may have. He showed me the importance of slowing down and taking in your surroundings. He taught me to respect others, especially women. He was the one that first told me about different religions before and after the Catholic Church.

I remember a trip he and I took in 1980, we went to Chicago, my first time in Chi-town. The Sears Tower, The Field Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry, The DuSable Museum of African American History, he told me about the street these were on Lake Shore Dr.(known as LSD to some) was the start of the Mother Road, US Route 66. He also took me to the sight of New York Yankee Babe Ruth’s called shot, The Big Red Machine’s Pete Roses’ 4191st career hit, and Chicago’s own Ernie ‘Mr. Cubs’ Banks 500th career home run, The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

Many of the things he taught me,  he did so by his actions. I always saw him open doors for ladies, he always helped people without thinking about it, he showed me how to use my intellect to avoid violence. We were in his old neighborhood once when he taught me violence should only be used to defend. The things he did taught me to respect nature long before Earth Day.

When he was dieing, he told one of his friends that the only thing he wished for was that he could have been half as good as a father as my sister and give him credit for. I could go on and on about him but I won’t.

Every year since my daughter was born, when I would call my pappy and tell him happy father’s day his response was always the same. With his hearty laugh you could picture his blue eyes brighten up as he smiled real big and said “Same to ya’ Bub!” just one of the private jokes a boy has with his daddy. Every year since his death, when ever someone tells me “Happy Father’s Day” I respond “Thank you, You too.” but what is going through my head when I smile and say that is my pappy saying same to ya’.

A special “Happy Fathers Day” to The Almighty Webmaster for his  first fathers day. To all the single mothers who raised or are raising their children with no father, Happy Fathers Day to you. To be both parents to a child takes something special.

Since Sunday is Fathers Day and I am with my Lady, I am taking the weekend off and enjoying my time with her. See you Tuesday.

Happy Father’s Day Pappy

13 Jan 36-23 Jun 04

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