Yep, this is the day to fete your dads. Please feel free to use this post as another way to celebrate him and tell the world how great he is (or was for those of you without him now). While most dads are here, many, as we know, are apart from their families serving this nation and keeping her safe from the enemy. Let’s remember those dads in a special way today.
I would tell you about my dad, but I can’t. I am, you see, the product of an affair my mother had with a man who either was married or simply wouldn’t marry her. He left her before I was born. In all honesty, it’s difficult to miss something you never had, but as I see my friends with their fathers, and my friends as fathers, it has become apparent I missed something quite special and important.
If my father is still alive, he’d be 91 years old. In 1962, at least according to my mother, he was 48 and working in a restaurant in Woodland Hills, California. There was also the discussion that he was a member of the mob. That’s a romantic story I’ve decided to believe. The only other piece of information I have is that he had a sister who was a nun.
Italians do tend to live forever, so it’s possible he’s still out there. I can tell you at least there has to be a whole family out there of people half-like me, which in itself is a pretty overwhelming thought.
Regardless of the manner of my creation, I’m happy to be here. And because of that, in all honesty, grateful for their indiscretion.
I know not all relationships are perfect, there are always ups and downs, which also makes a day like today difficult for some people. That in part is why I’m also so impressed with the human spirit, and how important it is to be appreciative of who you have during the good and bad times.
Today, though, your memories are good ones, and I for one will especially enjoy the Comments. Even though so many of you are shy 🙂
Hope your Sunday is being good to you.
Hey ya’ Tammy. Thanks for the post surrounding Father’s Day. We Fathers do what we can and hope our kids do the same. Was doing a bit of Father’s Day blogging myself while on my lunch break.
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been listening to you for a year and have spent much time at your site the last couple of days. Your writing is very solid, well thought out, and inspirational.
Most importantly, I love the way you support the blogosphere and highlight names that are not common place but share common viewpoints.
Keep up the good work and my thanks to you for doing it.
Overall, my Dad can be summed up by saying he’s been a great leader. As a father, a Christian, an employee, a husband, and friend. His influence touches every part of my life and personality. My love of history is a big one. Mom planted the seed by reading to my brother and I almost every night. Dad nourished that love and to this day, whenever he hands me a book or article and says “you should read this,” I do. The first time was when I was about 13 or 14 and he gave a copy of “Animal Farm.” He gave me my first “Carpenters” album, taught me how to shoot, how to ride a bike and a motorcycle… always teaching “safety” first” –be humble because show-offs end up getting hurt. They taught us how to work hard and how to play…he always took us sledding in the winter and to the beach in the summer.
They taught us not just to love America, but WHY we should love America. So when my brother and I left for the military on the exact same day, they never expressed any fear or doubt…only love and confidence.
When I left home for the first time we stood in the kitchen and he told me: Never loan your car, you’ll never find anything good in a bar, and there’s such a thing as being loyal to (the degree that it’s) a fault.
In spite of my (many!) mistakes and in spite of his disappointment, my Dad never pushed me away, but was always there to talk sense to me when I needed it. I thank the Lord all the time for my Dad (and Mom) because they were patient with me. Now we have a great friendship…they are my best friends.
My Dad still introduces me to great new things…. just over a year ago he told me I should listen to Tammy’s show—and I did.
:o)
I wanted to take this Father’s Day to thank my father for all he’s given me and of course for turning me on to your show.
Also I would like to say that your father would be very proud of who you are and I wish your Mom a very Happy Father’s Day for she’s done a good job as both Mom and Dad….
I remember visiting the holocaust musemum, in Washington D.C. with my family. Once we got in there we all went our own separate ways, there was just so much to see. I came across my father who was staring at a wall filled with pictures of Jewish families that had died in the holocaust. He was just standing there taking pictures. I felt like he needed someone to hold him. I put my arms around him as if to say that you always have someone to take care of you.
I asked him why he was taking all these pictures, he said so we never forget.
I’m grateful for all those special moments I have had with my father and will never forget the kind and caring person that he is.
Hi Tammy,
This is the first time I have been on your site so forgive me if this has already been covered. As far as Father’s Day without a Father goes, I imagine an intelligent woman like yourself already knows you can have an father, albeit an ethereal father in heaven, if you choose.
I love the way you think. Along those lines I know when the evidence of a Father in Heaven is presented that you would know whether it is true or not. I am open to discuss it. Not knowing what you haven’t had IS a non-concept. At the same time, I would bet there is a vacuum within you, as it is within all of us, which longs to be filled and from there lead us to joy transcendent of circumstance.
Blessings,
Michael