Father's Day

My blog needs to take a very brief detour today...it's father's day. Not that I wish to slight the women but this is our day. I'll speak to the girls at another time.

I woke up this morning thinking of my dad. He now has Alzheimer's disease and is 94 years old. I have always marveled at his easy going style and resiliency in all matters. His work ethic has only been overshadowed by his commitment to family. There was never any doubt about the fact that his job was to be the breadwinner and occasionally worked two jobs. I know he got his guidance from his dad who had a great sense of humor and commitment to family. I'm glad I had a chance to know him when I was young. I know I have wanted to emulate them in many ways...but I am my own person.

My dad had a serious impediment to having a normal life. As a youth he came through the barn door and caught an ice pick in the eye. He's been essentially blind in that eye for 80 years. I, on the other hand, developed asthma and have wrestled with that all my life. People don't visually see that I have a problem with living normally. So in a way he and I share hurdles to normal living...what ever that is. Now my son has a disability that gives him a bit of extra kinship with us. I know that has thrown a monkey wrench into his life. Because of these circumstances it has given us another thread of commonality...we don't give into the obstacles in life. We all persevere.

One thing different between me and my dad is that he is unable to show the affection and love that I know is in his heart. He shows it by what he has done for me and our family all our lives. Somehow the ability to show how we feel inside has developed well in me and my son and for that I am happy. We all love and support our great families and we all enjoy a good sense of humor that helps us through this passage through life.

There's so much I could say but in the spirit of brevity, suffice it to say that today I give thanks for my dad, my son and my other father..."God the Father". I love and appreciate 'em all.

Happy Father's Day to all dads out there!