Father's Day 2018

Hidden in the depths of memories are a few shafts of light

Sharing a single source, like the points in the night,

Building snowmen armies guarding forts from assaults,

Pencil on paper, checking the math to be sure it’s right,

Guiding hands on tools and toys, neck ties and gear shifts,

Curve balls and fish hooks, shoe shines and shaving cream,

All lessons learned by young hands and mind,

Actions and attitudes established and refined,

Always with love and a firm hand from time to time,

Always an example, a model for life and living,

Struggling and sweating, not always winning,

Thank you for giving so much for so long,

For sharing your weaknesses yet remaining so strong,

Not a day passes that you’re not on my mind,

Happy Father’s Day Pop, it was a great ride…

Father's Day 2014

Father's Day.... Not having had the experience of being one there's a bit of a void in my life. However the years I spent as a teacher make up for some of that. Buried somewhere in the archives here is something I wrote to my Dad a few years back... thought I'd re-post it today...

For you Dad...

I miss you Dad!
I miss your calloused hands that held mine and led me along life’s path,
Your arms that pulled me close to share your strength,
That sideways glance that said, “I’m here if you need me.”
I miss the smell of your after shave in the bathroom each morning,
That smack on the head that said you screwed up – but its okay,
The sound of your laughter that would fill the room,
I miss your grin of acknowledgement of something done well,
Your encouragement to try again after I struck out,
Admitting that you couldn’t have done better when I know you could and had,
I miss the times we talked – man to man,
When you shared your fears with me,
The rare occasions when I could lend my strength to you,
I miss you Dad,
I wish I’d told you a thousand – no – a million times more that I love you!
I wish…

I miss you Dad!

I miss you Dad!

I miss your calloused hands that held mine and led me along life’s path,

Your arms that pulled me close to share your strength,

That sideways glance that said, “I’m here if you need me.”


I miss the smell of your after shave in the bathroom each morning,

That smack on the back of the head that said you screwed up – but its okay,

The sound of your laughter that would fill the room,


I miss your acknowledgement of something done well,

Your encouragement to try again after I struck out,

Admitting that you couldn’t have done better when I know you could and had,


I miss the times we talked – man to man,

When you shared your fears with me,

The rare occasions when I could lend my strength to you,

I miss you Dad,

I wish I’d told you a thousand – no – a million times more that I love you!

I wish…

Happy Father's Day...


I remember all the hours you spent playing catch with us and helping out at practices and games.

The broad smile on your face the day you helped me buy my first car.

How well you always treated my friends no matter who they were or how they looked.

The strength you showed when I left for Vietnam.

How proud you were the day I graduated from college.

The miles you jogged at the health center to stay in shape at 60.

How hard you fought your cancer and won... for a while.

I remember the last few days, the last hug and hand shake..