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Reflections on Father’ Day
By Larry Hendrick | June 26, 2005
One week has passed since Father’s Day, 2005 and it was a great day for me in many ways. I spent time with my son and his family including the, many times mentioned, granddaughter. The pleasure was all mine, I assure you.
I also spent time reflecting on a man that was a hero to me in many ways. When I was six years old, he was ten feet tall, and when I was over six feet tall, I discovered that he was still taller than me by a few inches, and he still remained a hero to me in many ways. He was not perfect, and in fact, he was quite flawed as a man, but growing up, he was the epitome of power and steadfastness to a young son.
He was a man’s man, who worked in the oilfield as a welder and in construction most of his life, but always wanting more for his children. Growing up we were sometimes (not always) poor in money, but always rich in family. My sister and I had four grandparents and were encouraged to spend time and moments of life with them. We learned about life from their minds and discovered the riches of wisdom and foolery.
From my Dad’s dad, wisdom on things like cowboy boots, bars, and drink; foolery from watching them to excess. From my Mom’s dad, wisdom on things like hard work, shoe shops, and snuff; foolery from snuff, for sure. Both were hard working and managed to overcome many obstacles in their lives but I always imagined Mom’s dad as having to overcome the most because he (and grandma) was a deaf mute. He was a good lip reader though and, in fact, good enough to get into the Army for a time, until an officer came up behind him and gave him a command. Oops! Busted… That’s a story for another time.
I would not trade my life growing up and I still have the delightful pleasure of my Mom, but at times I miss Dad and his lessons on hunting, fishing, willow trees, and the simple enjoyment of a beautiful summer day. He loved to spend time in his yard, watering, weeding, and barbecueing.
Life is full of moments and reflections. I miss them all, but having learned their lessons, I must carry on and pass them to my granddaughter.
Topics: Life |