Thanks to all the Fathers out there, especially my mean old man. He’s responsible for the sense of humor I have today. He also always worked hard for the benefit of my family. Back before I was born, he used to break into cars in South Central L.A. to support my mom and little Joe foo’. He even strangled a guy in prison. (both of those are true but lacking important context)
I guess I’m just trying to say I’m happy I had an influence like him while growing up and still have him today when I need someone to be mean and tease me.
His humor seemed quite similar to Jonah Goldberg’s dad. Sid Goldberg passed away this year, and the text of Jonah’s eulogy is here with further thoughts from Jonah here.
First
Second, sadly.
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My Dad passed away when I was 13. It affected who I am and what I’ve done profoundly. I’m now 50. I miss what could have been.
If you still have a living father, cherish the man, even if he’s an asshole. Assholes can mellow with age.
I have.
Even if I chose never to reproduce.
Yes, cherish them. I watched mine bleed to death out of his face when I was 7 in a nasty car wreck. Even if they are a jerk, it is still worth trying. You could not have one, and unless they openly beat you, that is never better.
I love my Dad. He’s actually my stepdad, and I am so grateful that he and mom found each other when I was three. The best thing of all is that after lo these many years, they’re still grateful for that as well!
He wasn’t always perfect, and God knows neither was I, but everything I appreciate in a man I learned from watching my father. Thus, if you are a whimsical, loving, stern, honorable, witty and discerning man then I will appreciate you too.
Yes.
Cherish them.
My dad died a couple of summers ago.
I have never been the same.
I function, of course, but there is something missing.
And there always will be…
I need someone to be mean and tease me.
You mean SarahK doesn’t do that?
My father died many years ago, when he was sixty-one and I was twenty-seven. I’m still grateful for the hours that he spent playing catch with his klutzy oldest son (I’m still a klutz, except when I’m on a bicycle, where, for reaons I don’t understand, I become a thing of beauty), the example that he set by going to work every day unless he was hospitalized, and all the hard work that he did so that my brothers and I could grow up in nice places and attend good schools.
Man… you and Sarah are freaking my birds out by making me laugh so hard! Please, please explain this important context that was left out! 🙂
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Deal.
I’d guess the context is the same as my father’s case. He spent 26 years in prison. But it was on the side of the bars where he got to go home at night and not have sex with men. Its amazing how easy it is to make any situation better by saying, “At least I’m not having sex with another man.”
I wish you guys were able to trade dads for a while. Mine could be a real meatloaf sometimes and the only way we really get along is if we’re about three or four states away from each other. Wonderfully, I married a guy with an awesome dad and kind of adopted him.
So happy Fathers’ day Jerry!!!
Enjoy your Joe Paterno Helmet.
TEEEEEEJ
When people see my dad they probably see a short, aging guy with a limp. But I think it’s cool because I know how he got that limp. He was the first man to hang-glide in the state of Oregon and when I was 10 we traveled across the country so he could compete in all the tournaments. He broke his leg in a few places on more than one occasion but at least he survived (many of our hang-gliding friends did not). Before that he was a competitive speed skier. Before that, he and a Navy buddy jumped off one of Portland’s bridges just for the fun of it.
My childhood was one adventure after another which is almost miraculous given that my dad was raised in abject poverty in an extremely abusive home starting out in the Ozarks of Arkansas (all those in-breeding jokes….true). But what a good dad he is (and an even better grandpa!)! And God has been so good to our family because one man decided not to repeat the sins of his father and instead raised his family in love and acceptance.
Speaking of father figures — Frank, do you ever watch American Dad? They have a Karl Rove guest appearance that sounds like it is directly out of your In My Worlds!
I just saw that episode. I think Seth M. is an IMAO fan.
American Dad is on the tivo; haven’t watched it yet.
I was going to say something, but the tear in space-time fabric would be too drastic; God, Karl Rove looked scary!
My Dad made me play little league. We are in therapy now.
My Dad made me play little league. We are in therapy now.
My dad died on my 10th birthday. Some present. But, looking back, my most painful birthday was my 9th. See, my dad worked too much & traveled alot. He didn’t get to know me well. He knew I had started playing little league so he bought me a high quality baseball glove. Had he ever played catch with me, he’d have known that although I write and hold a fork with my left hand, I throw a ball with my right. The glove was for the wrong hand.
Bring it forward. Now I’m a dad; 2 sons & a daughter 16, 17 & 20. Not only do I love them but also I know them. I can only recall 1 or 2 times missing one of their sports practices, never a game. I didn’t always coach but always helped those who did. I was a Scout leader. Whenever a chaperon was needed for a school trip, I took leave from work and went. I helped with school work and got to know most of their teachers. When my 2nd son had difficulty in 3rd grade writing legably and consequently had trouble writing book reports and the like, I read everything I could to find help. I’d get him to answer who, what, when, where, why questions about a book or subject into a tape recorder. Then I’d type out his responses, cut out each sentence, let him re-order appropriately and reassemble.
I’ve tried to “be there” for them and to set a good example. This Fathers’ Day I was to be away coaching Special Olympics Summer Games in Maryland (None of my kids are in the program which is why I help – to thank God) so we had dinner together at Outback on Thursday and jointly celebrated my oldest’s birthday. Yesterday, each called me on my cell phone. When I got home that evening, dog-tired from 3 days of sports events, they had cards, hugs & kisses for me. But, every day I know that they love me. And, I love them and am proud of each one. They know it, too, because I tell them often. If, in the unlikely chance one of them reads this post, I’d like to say, “Brett, Matt, Elizabeth – you guys mean everything to me.”
On Fathers’ Days I have a little sadness for my own dad who worked so hard that he didn’t get to experience the joys I have known and will continue to know.
So, for you folks who still have fathers, particularly fathers who aren’t around as much as you’d like, bug them to be around more, to call or e-mail more; you’ll both get much more out of life.
Coach Mike