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HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!
My father is better than great or awesome. For my entire life he has protected, supported, and loved me. I can't think of a better time, or way to celebrate who HE is, and how he has impacted my life.
Before I was born my father was protecting me. During a black out in 1977 he was walking the streets of NYC, looking for my pregnant mom because he needed to protect his child. The memory of him doing this just came back to me today, along with so many other memories of times together, times you probably have forgotten, but I still hold them close to my heart. Some people, maybe even you, may have thought they were insignificant, but when I add up, it equals one strong woman.
One of my favorite memories, is our trip to the Statue of Liberty when my sister Christina was still in a stroller, I was about ten years old. Growing up in Queens, I never thought it was a big deal to go to the Statue of Liberty, because I'd been there many times with my dad, before this trip. But this trip Dad braved the subway and the ferry, with a toddler, my cousin, and me, all ALONE! This was in the eighties, and I like to think I like he was a pioneer type dad. I use the word pioneer because when us crazy kids wanted to go up to the crown(it was open at that time), my dad said yes. So he endured the spiral staircase all the way up(if you ever visited Lady Liberty, you know the TREK it is just to reach the observation level on the pedestal).
Many great memories stem from my dad's love for jogging. Whether he was going to the local track to run laps, or Flushing Meadow park he'd take me. Somehow I entertained myself while he ran, and I never thought it was boring. I always looked forward to when he'd race because we'd go to different parts of the city. Sometimes we'd be in Queens, down by Laguardia College, where my dad cheered me through my first race. Actually(now I sound like Faith, with a big sigh she 'll say, "Actually..."), my first race was in Flushing Meadow park. A Pee Wee Run is what they called it, and my Dad loved to brag how I came in first place for the GIRLS. Over the years it's become more of a joke. What could be funny about first place?? Well truthfully, there was only one other kid in this race . . . a boy.
But not being the greatest athlete, never stopped me from accompanying Dad to a race. I still to this day remember the hot chocolate and bagels we'd get afterward at some of the events. The bagels were the best! Just ask my Uncle John  My uncle would always smuggle some of the free bagels out in his backpack, so you can imagine they were REALLY good.
My father has always cheered me on and encouraged me. I never realized how insightful he is either. I grew up with his bedtime stories and loving books came naturally. I've always had a great imagination(I think partially due to his genetics) but I'm sure he never thought I'd end up in a storytelling contest. Second place again, and Dad made sure everyone knew why. As he tells it, all the teachers that were present cast their vote for winner, and my teacher, Mr. Skylar, was not there. Dad made sure everyone knew I should have won, and he knew because he was THERE.
Every girl deserves a father like mine. He was there and I could name all the times - Birthdays with the Sesame Street record you played every year until I outgrew; my fourth grade trip to the Transit Museum; he organized a trip for me and a group of friends to Astroland Park after I graduated elementary school; Pigeon Park in Puerto Rico when the pigeons cornered me and my bag of birdseed, the roosters crowing in the morning on that trip; going to PA visiting your friends and Christina reluctantly trying to milk a cow at four years old; the Museum of Natural History; Central Park with my favorite playground and the row boats; the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone, Nathans(the original), the Bronx Zoo and aquarium; trips to the circus and the ice capades; the Botanical Gardens; the Hall of Science; trips to the Christian book store; going to work with you and riding through the city, going to the factory when I was kid playing with the cones; days at Forest park running through the sprinkler; numerous theme parks(which is why Christina and I LOOOOVVVE them in a way only we understand) where you'd go on the some rides even though they'd make you sick; no nail polish because I was a "little" girl; Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, the windows on Fifth Avenue, ice skating (poor Dad dislocated his shoulder one of our first times); FAO Schwartz; recording "The Twelve days of Christmas" without messing up; Rosa's Pizzeria; many nights with "I Love Lucy" and laughing at Steve Urkel-don't forget the oreo and chips ahoy cookies; Washington D.C., our trips upstate to the Renaissance Faire and hiking(while I complained about the bugs), and worshipping in the same church.
Dad, the best gift you've given me is the Lord. When I was ready to change my life, and find a new direction, you guided, taught, and encouraged me. What you didn't realize all through the years I was watching you. Even when I was lost in the world, confused, and messed up so many things, I was learning. You were praying. I know the many prayers you've said protected me, carried me through, and surrounded me with people to support me. You showed me how a family should be, because you married a wonderful woman who accepted, embraced, and loved not only you but your two girls. You showed me how God's love heals you, and I let God heal me. You taught me about God's forgiveness, and I learned to forgive. You taught me about the love of God, as you loved.
All of these things made me who I am, the mother, wife, and woman. Because of you I know how I will raise my children. I will raise them the way you raised me.
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Posted by 1STRONGwoman on 2008-06-15 07:26:55 | Rating: | Views: 61
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