Monday, June 20, 2011

Remembering my Father

My father, Gordon, has never been one for sentimentality; and he's still alive, I'm just thinking about him today because he's several states away. Remembering. So let's not go getting all emotional.

In today's culture, our family is an anomaly. My parents are still happily married after 50 years, and gave me and my brothers an example of faithfulness and steadfastness that we all model in our own families. What he and my mother have shown us, my children will carry on.

My dad (let's not be formal) is a man of remarkable strength and creativity. He never watched sports, or listened to music, or played golf -- instead his hobbies have been those of craftsmanship and creativity. His interests are broad and varied, and include antique clock repair and restoration (both the mechanical and woodworking aspects), woodworking, leaded glass design, raising Nishigi koi, raising bonsai, Vespa restoration (and riding!), and making fountain pens (from the raw materials). He learned from reading, book after book, night after night.

I've learned honesty, authenticity, integrity, loyalty and wisdom from him. He has taught me what it means to have character, and how character applies to everything.

He taught us a long time ago that "children are the result of a marriage, and not the reason for it."  We're raising our children to be independent, just as he and my mother did with us.  My wife and I make time for dates and time for each other, because our marriage is about us, not the kids. (Although we love them and are so thankful for them!)

He is more light-hearted since a life-threatening accident over 10 years ago, which only slowed him down for a few weeks after major brain surgery and reconstruction. Recently he had to have surgery again, to care for some long-term after effects... The surgeon removed some titanium hardware from his head, so he made some earrings from the titanium plates for Lisa. I love his sense of humor!

Now that he is retired, Each new day with him is a blessing. We're more friends now than ever, and he surprises us more by stopping by on a scooter ride or when he's out for a drive.  Laughs at the frustrations I'm experiencing or the level of activity that always seems to surround families with children.  I think he laughs because he knows we're making it through just fine.

just like he taught us.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!