What would Father's Day be without a story about my father? By now readers may be really fond of my father or really bored--perhaps a little of both--about like my mother.
But as you know, a father can be the most important person in a young girl's life. Dads can shape their daughters into the women they will become. He can inspire them to reach their full potential as productive, responsible adults. Dads are definitely influential.
Kids always gravitate to my father because he is fun, gentle and has "the patience of Job," my mother always said. It wasn't that he spent mountains of time with me or the neighborhood kids because he worked hard--sometimes six days a week. It just was he always had enough time for me and my friends.
It was an intangible awareness that I had of my father--of his ability to never trivialize what I had on my mind. He respected me and other children; he could see the world through our eyes. That's a good thing in a father.
I remember when I was very young my dad handed me a brush, a bucket of red paint and let me go at some metal fence posts until I looked like one. My mother was horrified, because she had to sandblast me later. But Dad understood that I wanted to be a part of something big--it was a mess.
I can still remember the look on my mother's face when she returned home one evening to find my father and me and a fair amount of chocolate cake batter in "her" kitchen and all over my new pink nightgown.
Dad and I had baked cupcakes together and had a wonderful time making the kitchen look like a science experiment.
"But Nellie," he said to my mother. "She had so much fun. I was gonna clean it all up."
I can't repeat my mother's response, but it started with, "Oh, Alvin!"
Then there was the time when Dad took me "over town" to shop. That's what we called the big city across the river: over town. It was the first and only time I remember Dad taking me shopping--because, obviously neither of us could be trusted.
I was about 11, and I wanted a beautiful pair of black Queen Ann heels in Shinamen's Shoes, one of the most expensive shoe stores in Cumberland. I had been coveting them for weeks. I used every tool in the box to get those shoes.
I dragged him into the store where he was at a severe disadvantage--right where I wanted him. He had no idea what was appropriate for my age, or even how much a pair of school shoes should cost. I said, "I love them. Oh please, Daddy."
So we trotted home with those shoes that cost way too much--I think .99-- and were way too fancy for school.
My mother, who had to be practical wasn't impressed. In fact, I think she was downright mad. I remember a grave discussion about taking the shoes back. I was near hysteria. We didn't and I wore them to school that year--with ankle socks.
Not only is my dad a great and reasonably indulgent father to me, he is a special grandfather to my children. They call him Pap. And they too have a mountain of memories of hanging out with Pap.
Good childhood memories are the foundation for a responsible and happy adulthood. Being a good father has nothing to do with big houses or fancy cars or a multitude of gadgets. But has everything to do with cupcakes and shoes. |
BETA