Today my Dad turns 75!!! Fifty years ago today he was a young man of 25 with 3 small children and Dibby Jean was heavily pregnant with the 4th child (me). He worked a full time job, a part time job and picked up extra income working weekends when he could. He also managed to fit some University classes in through night school. I´ve never known a man who has worked so hard and so diligently his whole life. He probably wan´t home much but I don´t remember it that way because when he was around it was so much fun! I don´t know where he got such wisdom, I´m sure some innate but most gleened from the thousands of books he has read (and continues to read) – truly he is a self educated person. He knew that Monica´s special needs could not keep her down if she believed she could. I remember when we were young and all the girls had bikes, Mom and Dad got Monica a tandem bike so she could go riding too. And when we were into windsurfing she got her very own paddel boat so that she would enjoy the summer water sports! Dad drilled into me that he would support any decisions I made as long as they made sense (of course many of them didn´t, ha, ha, ha). He taught me vital critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities. He shot holes in many of my ideas and said …¨think it through again and come back later¨. He didn´t dwell on my youthful mistakes and graded me on a curve … saying ¨yeah that was a stupid move but your only acting your age. Now don´t do it again.¨ There was always a yes when wanting to invite a friend along and many of them became like adopted daughters for a season. He had an understanding of the importance of empowering women long before it was in vogue and taught us all that above all else we had to get the education and skills to be self supporting. He also taught me to never allow myself to be anyone´s victim. His work ethic is, ¨work your butt off doing what you love and believe in, the money will come¨. I´ve have never known anyone who is so radically generous with all his resources. Dad has touched the lives of so many family members and friends, he has blessed Pio´s family starting way back with José and Marvi, Paco Pepe, and now the younger cousins Ignacio, Ana, Patricia, Cindy not to mention my own daughters who know that Gramdpa is their number one fan. He has made sure my daughters, who have grown up in Spain, know their American roots (Irish too). He attended each of their first communion´s and graduations here in Spain. He came for summer fun and visited the Feria of Sevilla, sharing and learning about his grandaughts Spanish culture. 17 years ago this September my third baby, Olivia died shortly after birth, Dad called to say ¨Hon, I´m booking my ticket now¨. I convinced him to keep our plans of a Christmas visit since the girls were so excited that he and Grandma Carol were coming for the Holidays but just knowing that if I needed him to come that he would, this gave me great comfort. Between him and his wonderful wife Carol, we have always felt so welcomed to come home for extended visits, usually with another Spanish cousin along for the adventure! It seems like the walls of their home are elastic …. Always room for someone else! Each visit has created beautiful memories in the lives of my daughters who love their Grandparents (Dad, Grandma Carol and Grandma Dibby) so much. Happy Birthday Dad, I love you with all my heart!!! See you in September!!!
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:28:54 +0000
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