As we celebrate Father's Day it is a time to remember our Dads & the impact that they had on our lives. My Dad has been gone for 30 years & I still struggle with grief at times.
We had a complicated relationship. We were both independent (which he taught me to be) & stubborn. As a young man I struggled with the reins that he kept on me. Later, I learned that his Dad faced the same challenges. What I remember most is that my Dad worked. Most of my childhood he worked 2 full time jobs &I learned that same work ethic. I didn't understand it growing up but it has served me well. Most of our together time was spent doing work around the house. Car repairs, painting, electrical work, building retaining walls and putting a new roof on were but a few of the things that we worked on together. I heard "pay attention" more frequently than I heard "I love you" but I knew. Learning how to do all of these things also gave me confidence that I could learn to do about anything. That confidence helped me tremendously throughout my life.
Dad wasn't one for talk. I started my professional career in 1978 and progressed rapidly with my company. He had an idea of what I did but only in the most general sense. During a trip to visit us he found one of my business cards on the counter. You see, I was a Vice President for the largest company in my industry and had yet to turn 30. There were fewer than 30 people at my level and only 9 at higher levels in my company. He finally told me that he was proud of me. I never doubted it beforehand but it was great to hear.
Shortly after my Dad passed. He spent limited time with our daughter as she was born shortly before that and that I regret. We often don't recognize the impacts that our parents have on our lives but they are truly heroes and angels. I love you Dad!
No comments:
Post a Comment