Watching that goofy old 1980s movie, Princes Purple Rain on VHS, reminded me of something, in following the story line of his troubled relationship with his father, who died tragically before they could resolve their issues. In some ways, I was a disappointment to my father. I was the first Peterson not to stay in the familys highly successful farming operation. My dad, and his dad, were two of the best cattle/grain farmers in Webster County, which is the mecca of Iowa farmland. Everyone respected them. The sign, Waynes Angus Farm still hangs proudly in my garage. I was the only son. But it wasnt for me. I heard him say once, moving to town ruined him for the farm, as we moved to Fort Dodge for convenience of school/activities. He commuted to farm. I spent many, many years trying to show him I could be successful in another realm. Every day, I got up to bust my butt to prove something to him, basically. It was my mission. Then, on the one night I was to be honored by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for my work on behalf of young athletes in this state, at the state tournament in a televised ceremony, I couldnt talk him and his wife into coming back from their winter home in Arizona to witness the event. (My mom had passed.) Even on his deathbed, Im not sure we ever reconciled that disappointment, that was now on my end. We never really talked it out. I dont know if I ever proved anything to him or not, to be honest. I know one thing it left for me. I will NEVER, EVER, miss something important in my sons lives. The moral of this: Dont let anything lie. Communicate with your parents, & your children, throughout all stages of life. You get one chance. Then, theyre gone. Thats my message as families gather for Easter weekend. Appreciate the time you have together, and make the most of it.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 18:21:55 +0000
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