My Dad

-

I don’t celebrate death days - I celebrate birth days.

Thought of Dad all day yesterday...Sinatra hit the phone as I was driving in Massachusetts.

I considered all the early mornings I’ve put in to get up and head out to work, and how each of my boys has needed my help through the years.

Dad doubled my efforts.

I thought about all the pasta and steaks we ate together and every time I make a meal I think of how he showed me to do it.

I was on the road and Sam sent me a photo of the steak he was about to devour. I laughed. Dad would’ve been proud. 

Oh to see him eat one more Porterhouse.

I swear, every time I cut up an onion for pasta think of him saying, “Cut it small.”

When the Bills game starts these days it isn’t official until I say:

“I got a bad feeling about this one.”

My Dad said that before every game during the super bowl years.

He was right on 4 super Sundays.

But he also wanted us to watch the games with him and he made football shaped meatballs for the parties.

My siblings and I talk about my Dad every week of the year.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was a good man and he divided his heart for each of us.

As Frank sang yesterday I actually said, “Happy Birthday, Dad.”

He’d be proud of his kids and his grandkids. 

We all walked behind him...

...tracing his footprints in the sand...

...trying to walk like a man.

His birthday so close to Christmas was always a challenge because no matter what present you got him...

...he told you that you should’ve saved the money.

I always found it peculiar.

Until I had my own kids.

I want them to keep their money!

“Bah!” I yell. “Why’d you get me that? You shoulda’ saved your money.”

They’ll understand it some day.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more