JFK and Father's Day

[ChipsAhoy]

"Ask not what your father can do for you, but what you can do for your father."

Happy Father's Day to ALL the fathers here!

You are recognized!

[pooja]

1. I am grateful for my father.

He is a true sense of what change can become. He lost his own father when he was only 3 in a freak accident, his mother spent the rest of her life losing herself in a bottle and finally sucumbed to it at the age of 40 leaving behind 4 young children who suffered horribly.

1/2 the family is acoholic rejects (as my father so kindly puts it). And I think that he can claim that sentence because he was almost one of them. But instead of winding down that fabled course, he sobered up, stood up for his family, and loved my mother. They are no on their 27th year of marriage. My dad may occasionally drink a beer or two, but its usually on vacation or around a family event. (this would make it a total of 5 drinks a year). Because he chose a family over the alcohol, he chose to break the cycle. My sister and I grew up with the apreciation of what it could do to a family and what it means to respect a powerful drug.

I thank him for choosing his family. And I am grateful for all he has taught me and the times that we have spent with him. For that I am a better person. I realize how lucky I am. I could have had the father like my husband had--the one who didn't choose the family.

[larrysh]

2. Today is sad for me......

At age 51, I woke up this morning and was so miserable. Neither my mom nor my dad are still alive. Mom died of stomach cancer (though she never smoked a day in her life). Dad passed away two years ago, at age 73, of a lung infection that doctors could not get a handle on, no matter how hard they tried. Within two weeks of walking into the hospital with what everyone thought was a slight touch of pneumonia,
the infection spread throughout his lungs and eventually, he just died.
He was a wonderful dad, very proud of his Cherokee Heritage, and
always seemed to have a corny joke or a helping hand for all. I can't count how many times I've reached the phone over the last two years to call him and let him know one of his favortie movies was on TV....onl;y to realize there would no one on the other end of the phone.....

For the "Bigchief"....I want you to know we all miss you.....and will never forget you.....

Your son

[ChipsAhoy]

4. Larry

That was a beautiful tribute. I'm sorry they both passed away fairly young.

And from how you said you often pick up the phone to call your dad makes me feel like you were a very accommodating, thoughtful and helpful son. I hope you find comfort in realizing that. Not all children treat their parents so well.

Peace be with you, Larry.

[ChipsAhoy]

3. The same is true for my husband's dad

He was an absentee father. Pretty sad because he missed out on so much and some great kids.

My dad is also like yours, still with my mom and an honest man. We are both so fortunate for that ---and both of our husbands can see first hand how much a true dad means to his kids (and follow that role.)

I hope your family has a nice celebration today.