One of the best things to happen to a young child is to have a good father. By good, I mean one who knows the meaning of work, teaches that, is there for the family, teaches respect, and isn’t afraid to take a belt and whip your ass when you need it! I had one of those.
I loved my parents; they were the best. Though not rich, they provided for Dan (my brother) and me. Basically, we wanted for nothing that was important in our lives. Dan and I worked for Dad when school was out, and that is what taught Dan and me what responsibility meant.
He was the consummate good man. He didn’t have to discipline us much because it only took one time for Dan and me to figure out he meant what he said. Another trait worth teaching!
Once, we went to Hickory, North Carolina, so mom could look at furniture. We stopped in a little diner (picture Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show) to eat. Apparently, I was being a little snot, and Mom had told me several times to stop whatever I was doing. We went inside, and I don’t remember exactly what I did, but Dad had had enough. He looked at me and said, “You do that again, I am going to jerk you out of that seat, drag you outside on the sidewalk, and whip your ass in front of this window!”
Normally, that was enough….today it wasn’t….I did it again. Sure enough, he dragged me across the table, dragged me outside, and whipped me with his hand three or four times, then dragged me back inside this full diner, set me down, and said: “Now, do it again!” NOPE! I knew he meant what he said. Why I remember that is because at least six people stopped at our table and told Dad that I needed that and they were glad to see it!
Dad was the best. To this day, people still tell me what a good and gracious man my Dad was. He did things for people who couldn’t pay him, was a church-going Christian, and would help anyone at any time. He was in Korea, in the Air Force, and never talked about it. When he was close to death, the only thing he ever said was that he felt sorry for the boys that he picked up in his helicopter that didn’t make it.
Mom went in 2007, Dad in 2009. I miss them terribly, but Dad was my mentor. He taught me what I needed to be a man. He never missed one of our football games, helped start the Tidal Wave, and donated a truck so the band could haul their instruments. He was an inspiration to a lot of my friends, too. We had a lot of our friends over to our house in Wayne Lakes, and every guy loved him. He was genuine, thoughtful, and funny to be around.
Today, on Father’s Day, I think of him a lot. I miss him terribly. I will surely see him in Heaven because I know he is there, probably fixing something in the plumbing or electrical system for God. To me, he is the epitomy of what a man should be; Strong, thoughtful, loving, a teacher and a great example for everyone.
I love you Dad…….and THANK YOU!!
