Celebrating My Dad

 

Below is a photo of my dad at seventeen, a high school honor graduate and holder of his class medals in English and debate. The year was 1925. He was a mill town boy with high ambitions and the offer of a good-paying full-time job straight out of high school and into the midst of the Roaring Twenties. By taking that job, he never got the college degree he wanted but he was successful, building on his strong faith, a solid marriage, and a remarkable work ethic.

It has been 114 years since the birth of my father on this day in 1907. He was almost 40 when I arrived. And I was well into my 30's when my children arrived.  I often recall what it was like being raised by parents value programmed by the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age while most of my classmates, friends, and colleagues had parents come of age during the last years of the Great Depression and World War II. Today I ponder what my children think of their Boomer dad and his many stories of growing up in the 1950's and 1960's.

They never met my dad - he's been gone for over 40 years - but I think they know him well. I've done my best to teach them who he was and honor him by carrying on his many traditions along with those established by their mother and L. How fortunate I was to have him as a beacon in my life. He was a great and careful teacher and counselor, and though we had our differences, a constant and trusted friend. Most of all he was my loving dad. I thank him every day and will love him forever. 

Happy birthday, Dad!