I met Tina in 7th grade. She was the prettiest, most popular girl in our class. One day a classmate asked me to ask her if she would go to the seventh grade dance with him. So I asked Tina if she was going to the dance and she responded no one had asked her. So I asked her to go with me and she said yes. That was the beginning of a friendship that has lasted for 50 years.
Our relationship is based on many things, none of them have anything to do with romance. I have always found Tina to be smart, organized, caring and ripe with common sense. She has a marvelous sense of humor and a way of viewing things that has uncommon clarity. I really can find no reason she favors me with her friendship. It is fair to say that I love Tina. She is the closest thing to a sister that I have.
Over the years Tina has been the keeper of our class. She has been the moving force that organizes reunions and tracks class mates. She has always allowed me to assist her and the time we have spent has been a source of happiness that I treasure.
In High School, Tina dated one of my good friends and they married shortly after graduating. Funny thing is, I dated and became engaged to her younger sister. Neither worked out, but, we both found new loves and enjoyed a happy life. Each went our way, our paths crossing every so often. Recent years have had us spending more time together and certainly ,0n my part, enjoying every minute of time spent together.
If I never work up the courage to express fully my love and admiration for Tina, I hope in some way she knows.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Dad
My Dad died today. He was 92 a month ago. He was quite a man. Born at the end of the great depression, he grew up in a house of little means, with 6 brothers and sisters. Dealt with the loss of a sister and father at a young age. Became head of household and a prime provider for his family at an early age. Spent time in the army during WWII and witnessed some of the most appalling behaviors man has ever done. Sat with a young wife as she suffered through the rigors of an Iron Lung and polio. Certainly these life experiences had a profound effect.
Despite the hardships of life, my Dad developed an incredible array of skills and talents. He had a special ability to engineer things. He was a very talented mechanic with an understanding of how things work. He created art work that was amazing given his total lack of training. Always a hard working man with a sense of family commitment. Dad was comfortable with all manner of machinery, plants, animals and the outdoors in general. He could build a rabbit hutch, wire a factory, repair any machine, design machinery, paint the daintiest flowers on fine china, raise beautiful flowers, pour concrete, and so much more.
Dad always expected my brothers and I to learn these things by way of helping. Some of my least favorite tasks were learning to do all manner of things. Years later, I am so thankful that Dad "made" me help and learn. My brothers and I can do so many things because Dad had us help and unknowingly learn.
Dad, like all of us, had faults. He had a propensity to be negative as a first reaction. He could be equally self centered and thoughtful. Despite his faults, he was faithful and kind. He had difficulty expressing affection, yet was always there when needed. I know that he held within him, a great amount of love and pride for his 3 sons. Despite ups and downs in his life, he maintained his love for my Mom for 73 years, knowing that she was his strength.
I have so many many wonderful memories of times on Family Vacations, doing projects with just Dad and I, marveling at his ingenuity, walking in the woods and tinkering with mechanical things. The exposure to so many places and things that Dad made available was amazing. I have a large amount of memorabilia that will forever keep him near to me.
My Dad and I did not always see things the same. I will fault him for that because he taught me to think. I will credit him for making me the man I am today. In his own way, he taught me what to do and what not to do. He helped me shape my values. He instilled a work ethic, an honesty and a never give up attitude that I hold dear to me. He taught me how to be a good father and husband, both by his actions and inaction. He was and always will be my Hero. I will Love and miss Dad for the rest of my life. Rest in peace Dad.
Despite the hardships of life, my Dad developed an incredible array of skills and talents. He had a special ability to engineer things. He was a very talented mechanic with an understanding of how things work. He created art work that was amazing given his total lack of training. Always a hard working man with a sense of family commitment. Dad was comfortable with all manner of machinery, plants, animals and the outdoors in general. He could build a rabbit hutch, wire a factory, repair any machine, design machinery, paint the daintiest flowers on fine china, raise beautiful flowers, pour concrete, and so much more.
Dad always expected my brothers and I to learn these things by way of helping. Some of my least favorite tasks were learning to do all manner of things. Years later, I am so thankful that Dad "made" me help and learn. My brothers and I can do so many things because Dad had us help and unknowingly learn.
Dad, like all of us, had faults. He had a propensity to be negative as a first reaction. He could be equally self centered and thoughtful. Despite his faults, he was faithful and kind. He had difficulty expressing affection, yet was always there when needed. I know that he held within him, a great amount of love and pride for his 3 sons. Despite ups and downs in his life, he maintained his love for my Mom for 73 years, knowing that she was his strength.
I have so many many wonderful memories of times on Family Vacations, doing projects with just Dad and I, marveling at his ingenuity, walking in the woods and tinkering with mechanical things. The exposure to so many places and things that Dad made available was amazing. I have a large amount of memorabilia that will forever keep him near to me.
My Dad and I did not always see things the same. I will fault him for that because he taught me to think. I will credit him for making me the man I am today. In his own way, he taught me what to do and what not to do. He helped me shape my values. He instilled a work ethic, an honesty and a never give up attitude that I hold dear to me. He taught me how to be a good father and husband, both by his actions and inaction. He was and always will be my Hero. I will Love and miss Dad for the rest of my life. Rest in peace Dad.
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