I am sorry to say my Dad will never read this. He
passed away about ten years ago and not being a very vocal person when on the
subject of caring I don’t remember ever telling him I loved him. He would have understood.
He, like myself, are not ones for hugging and relating feelings but those feelings are
there all the same.
I am one of the lucky ones that always knew Dad would
be there when he was needed. I never doubted that. There is a comfort knowing
someone will always be at your side regardless of the circumstances.
Although he is gone he really is not. Often I
remember things he told me or showed me. He taught me to hunt and fish. He taught me right from wrong. Dad was a good athlete and I was terrible. Not once
did he make a derogatory comment when watching me feebly try to play a sport in
which he excelled. If I tried that was all he asked. Things I did well he
complimented but failures were ignored.
He had a way of making a point when correcting me
that always remained. As a child I told him “Why wash my hands, they just get dirty
again.” His response was “Why eat, you’ll just get hungry again.” As a teenager
I decided it would be “cool” to smoke. I bought a pack of cigarettes and stuck
them above the visor in my ’57 Chevy so anyone riding with me would be sure to
see them (even though I really didn’t like smoking). Dad got into the car with
me for some reason, saw the cigarette pack, and said “If you spend money on
cigarettes, then if you need help Mom and I probably won’t be able to help you.”
I didn’t need their financial help but the point was made.
Most of all he was a good, kind man to the end. I
hope all of you who are fortunate enough to still have your Dad will appreciate
all he does and maybe even let him know how much he means………as I wish I had.
There are no second chances. With admittedly damp eyes I wish all Dads a Happy
Father’s Day.
Ken Dillenburg