I've talked about my dad before but since today is Father's Day I'd like to tell you about why my dad is awesome and the influence he has had not only on my life but everone that knows him.
My dad was 21 years old when I was born and 26 when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I know I talk about age a lot but I feel that its important because I'd like to stress how young everybody was when all of this craziness was going on. He was 26 when my brother died and 28 when my sister was born. Late 40's when he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and Joan was diagnosed with breast cancer. And now 52 and healthier than ever.
My dad has had the same job his entire adult life. He never liked his job but stayed with it because he had kids and a sick wife and it paid relatively well and provided good medical benefits. My sister and I were not spoiled but we never went without. My dad taught me the value of a good education so I could do what I wanted and not what I was made to do. He showed me the value of work and always tried to show me how to save money (although it didn't always work, huh Dad?). As he has only about 3 years left until he retires, I couldn't be more excited for him. Retirement will finally give him the chance to do what he wants when he wants to do it. I see a lot of lawn mowing and relaxing with rum and diet cokes. Oh and I can't forget about March Madness and napping in the recliner.
My dad loves his granddaughter and grandson as much as if he was biologically related to either of them. Kids love him and always have. I think he reminds them of Santa Claus. And he has the right amount of silliness and craziness that kids like.
He cracks me up now because he likes to tell me how much he hates talking on the phone but is much better than me about calling and checking in on how everything is going. He will keep me on the phone for an hour, gossiping and chatting about Pine Plains, my grandma, the kids, etc. I've listened to him talking to his friends about who knows what for god knows how long. He reminds me of a woman that way.
My dad was always a great influence on my life although it took me until I was an adult to fully appreciate his actions. He was, and is still, the most stable and consistent figure in my young life. I look at all of these kids today who are being raised by single mothers and am saddened that they do not have a father. Kids need fathers. Be it boys or girls, every child needs a male role model. After my mom died, he was my rock. He showed us how to grieve and still be strong. He was left with 2 daughters, ages 11 and 4, that he had to raise alone. He made sure we were fed, clothed, housed and loved. He was not too proud to ask for help and relied on family, both his and my mom's side, to help him raise us. It must be hard to go through 7 years of crap just to be left alone.
When he was diagnosed with a degenerative kidney disease, I was devastated. I pictured myself as an adult orphan, alone with no biological parents left. But my dad wasn't going to roll over and die. He would fight. He would plan his life around work, dialysis and the subsequent transplant. He would live. I was never so relieved as when the doctors told us that he did well in surgery and the kidney was working perfectly. We all clapped when he peed. You laugh, and so did we, at the absurdity of clapping when someone peed. It was a great day.
I saw my dad yesterday. He called my sister and me to tell us that he found a leather recliner that would match our living room. As he pulled up and got out of his truck I saw his arm where the dialysis stint was put in years ago. It looks misshapen and kind of gross now but it reminded me of all that he has been through over his life. My thoughts moved backwards from his own illness, Joan's, my mom's. I thought about how brave he was and my heart broke a little again. Today he has a great life. He is looking forward to retirement and gets to spend lots of time with the grandbabies. He gets to go on vacation without working it around his dialysis schedule or numerous doctor's appointments. Everyone that meets my dad tells me how much they like him and admire him. I concur.
So Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you. Oh yeah...and I apologize for those teenage years.
Love,
Andrea
My dad was 21 years old when I was born and 26 when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I know I talk about age a lot but I feel that its important because I'd like to stress how young everybody was when all of this craziness was going on. He was 26 when my brother died and 28 when my sister was born. Late 40's when he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and Joan was diagnosed with breast cancer. And now 52 and healthier than ever.
My dad has had the same job his entire adult life. He never liked his job but stayed with it because he had kids and a sick wife and it paid relatively well and provided good medical benefits. My sister and I were not spoiled but we never went without. My dad taught me the value of a good education so I could do what I wanted and not what I was made to do. He showed me the value of work and always tried to show me how to save money (although it didn't always work, huh Dad?). As he has only about 3 years left until he retires, I couldn't be more excited for him. Retirement will finally give him the chance to do what he wants when he wants to do it. I see a lot of lawn mowing and relaxing with rum and diet cokes. Oh and I can't forget about March Madness and napping in the recliner.
My dad loves his granddaughter and grandson as much as if he was biologically related to either of them. Kids love him and always have. I think he reminds them of Santa Claus. And he has the right amount of silliness and craziness that kids like.
He cracks me up now because he likes to tell me how much he hates talking on the phone but is much better than me about calling and checking in on how everything is going. He will keep me on the phone for an hour, gossiping and chatting about Pine Plains, my grandma, the kids, etc. I've listened to him talking to his friends about who knows what for god knows how long. He reminds me of a woman that way.
My dad was always a great influence on my life although it took me until I was an adult to fully appreciate his actions. He was, and is still, the most stable and consistent figure in my young life. I look at all of these kids today who are being raised by single mothers and am saddened that they do not have a father. Kids need fathers. Be it boys or girls, every child needs a male role model. After my mom died, he was my rock. He showed us how to grieve and still be strong. He was left with 2 daughters, ages 11 and 4, that he had to raise alone. He made sure we were fed, clothed, housed and loved. He was not too proud to ask for help and relied on family, both his and my mom's side, to help him raise us. It must be hard to go through 7 years of crap just to be left alone.
When he was diagnosed with a degenerative kidney disease, I was devastated. I pictured myself as an adult orphan, alone with no biological parents left. But my dad wasn't going to roll over and die. He would fight. He would plan his life around work, dialysis and the subsequent transplant. He would live. I was never so relieved as when the doctors told us that he did well in surgery and the kidney was working perfectly. We all clapped when he peed. You laugh, and so did we, at the absurdity of clapping when someone peed. It was a great day.
I saw my dad yesterday. He called my sister and me to tell us that he found a leather recliner that would match our living room. As he pulled up and got out of his truck I saw his arm where the dialysis stint was put in years ago. It looks misshapen and kind of gross now but it reminded me of all that he has been through over his life. My thoughts moved backwards from his own illness, Joan's, my mom's. I thought about how brave he was and my heart broke a little again. Today he has a great life. He is looking forward to retirement and gets to spend lots of time with the grandbabies. He gets to go on vacation without working it around his dialysis schedule or numerous doctor's appointments. Everyone that meets my dad tells me how much they like him and admire him. I concur.
So Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you. Oh yeah...and I apologize for those teenage years.
Love,
Andrea
