MY DAD TAUGHT ME...
TO
TAKE CARE OF FAMILY AND CHERISH THE GOOD TIMES
As a result of a nightmarish
childhood, my mom fought with 100 lifetimes worth of demons during my formative
years.
Dad helped me see mom's gift for overcoming against all odds.
It's
probably no coincidence that my companion of three decades was already using a
wheelchair when I met her at age 20 in college. I saw the ability, not the
disability in Heidi.
Heidi has been the best bride a person could ask for.
This is a 12-day tribute to my dad, who died a few days before Thanksgiving this year, from his first-born son.
MY DAD TAUGHT ME...TO
LOVE GOOD FOOD
Okay, that one I might have taken that one a little too far,
as my waistline can attest to. But not only have I fed my soul, but I
also have fueled the economy.
I’m pretty sure my baker bought a boat off
of his profits from me alone.
This is a 12-day tribute to my dad, who died a few days before Thanksgiving this year, from his first-born son.
MY DAD TAUGHT ME...TO
ALWAYS BE POLITE
Being well-mannered has helped me survive some pressure
cooker job situations.
Certainly there have been many workdays where I
held the wolves at bay with kindness while bluffing my way through till I
figured out the true demands of the job.
This is a 12-day tribute to my dad, who died a few days before Thanksgiving this year, from his first-born son.
MY DAD TAUGHT ME...THE
VALUE OF AN EDUCATION
Which led to four years of bone-chilling walks to
classes across the vast, frozen winter campus at Kent State University.
Along
with a journalism degree, I also learned how to flirt with girls.
One KSU
gal became my wonderful wife of more than 25 years and counting.
This is a 12-day tribute to my dad, who died a few days before Thanksgiving this year, from his first-born son.
MY DAD TAUGHT ME TO....
ROOT FOR THE UNDERDOG:
This
was a crucial life lesson for anyone who follows Cleveland’s hapless sports
teams!
It also taught me to look out for the less fortunate throughout my
life.
In Miami, my wife and I have “adopted” a friend from the Mariel
Boatlift and gotten him on Medicaid, found him a subsidized apartment, loaned
him money to repair his truck so he could hold a part-time job.
This is a 12-day tribute to my dad, who died a few days before Thanksgiving this year, from his first-born son.
