I would appear in his basement workroom to watch and help—handing him tools and just talking. I was fascinated by my dad’s creative abilities. He had little schooling as his own dad died—hit by a school bus—when he was a young man. So, abruptly his calling in life was to aid his brothers and sister run the family business.
I think about the sacrifices Dad made. I never heard him complain that his life wasn’t fair. He appreciated life and loved music, laughter, and family. He was always there for family.
When we finally moved into our beautiful home, it featured three bedrooms, a large kitchen, two full bathrooms, and two half-baths; a far cry from our one-bedroom apartment over a bar in town. Four of us shared that bedroom and one bathroom. We also shared the flat with rats. Now, we were blessed with a home on an acre of property! We had a chance to climb trees and roll carelessly down hills. We played in the woods; and watched nature in her finest. No more playing behind the Seaview Bar.
When I think of dad whom I miss so much, I also think of our tree house, the one he built from scratch modeled after our home. The roof lines pitched like our home; the expansive windows, a replica of our home’s windows. This wasn’t a tree house made out of wood and haphazardly plopped in a tree; but our tree house stood majestically on large posts cemented in the ground. It featured screens on the windows and a ladder more like steps leading up to our entry--a trap door! That tree house was the best gift from dad ever. Mom created picnic lunches and often my brother and I ascended to our retreat where we could imagine and dream of our future.
Now this June, I think of my dad with such gratitude and love. I was truly blessed. So, I want to bless and wish all dads everywhere a special and a very “Happy Father’s Day!”