My Dad, who passed abruptly in 1999 at 63, would have had a hard time with the world as it is today. Part of my reasoning is not knowing how he might evolve over 22 additional years, but he was progressive for his time, so I'd like to think he would likely be horrified by some of the backwards steps we've taken - and delight by some of the advancements. I'm less than a decade away from 63 and I'm there myself.
My parents encouraged my music at a young age and my dad individually did a lot towards that, funding my first electrics, building an amp for me with a rewired stereo (and buying my Fender Princeton when the homemade amp fried my first electric). He bought me and Ibanez - which I still have - and recently worked back into playing shape - and a Les Paul Jr. that was lost in a loan to a family friend (My Buddy, Adam Sachs gifted me a replacement Junior a number of years ago which is happily in use to this day).
My Dad built his Glass studio, pursuing his dreams, from stained glass to lamp work, to classes at Cleveland State and then the Glass Piper, which was a passion driven feat. He pursued it to the exclusion of his own long-term interest. He taught me to follow my passions, but he also taught me to look for balance - which he frequently talked about but discovered a little too late through hard lessons.
I'm incredibly privileged to have my loving family, friends, and life. I'm passionate about them and about guitar, music and writing. All gifts from my parents in one way or another. I'm in frequent awe that I get to live it - lots of good points (certainly some rough and tough spots too).
I am fortunate enough to know he loved me - and to have been able to tell him the same - and to have thanked him. I wish he was still here to share in it a bit more. I feel his presence still, in thoughts and actions and in the retelling of his jokes.
I'm also fortunate enough to be a dad, of a wonderful, caring, and talented child. Gabriel, if you're reading, I want you to know I love you and am proud of you. And if you're not hope to catch up with you at some point today.
And to all of those fathers and children of fathers today, take time to think and celebrate - and maybe more than once a year. Happy Father’s Day all.
2 comments:
So sorry, Toby. I have enough trouble with today. I think our parents would definitely not approve. And I'm glad, though I miss them dearly, they were spared Covid. Joan and Fred co-founded Cleveland Heights Democrats. They'd be appalled. But they both passed at 88 in the 2000-teens. I'm fortunate. Many condolences.
By the way, Adam is the greatest, as was your Dad. Glad for the result of his support for your dreams and passion, as my folks did, too.
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