Memories of my Father

I have always thought at some point I would write about how lucky I was as a child and about my parents. This week flying over the town my dad was born in brought him to mind.

I was a very lucky child to be born to my parents. I have never doubted that I was loved or that I was the number one thing in their lives. Both my parents were supportive and encouraged me all the time. My mom still does to this day. When you have a cheering squad behind you it does wonders for you.

I was so fortunate that my parents never got divorced. I never really considered it until my father passed away. I remember realizing that I was the only grandchild at my father’s funeral that had not lived through a divorce.

My dad moved us around the country following work and doing all he could to make our lives better. He would take me to work with him in the summers, and even worked me as I entered my teens so I could have my own money.

Through the years he took me and the neighbor’s boys fishing nearly every weekend through my teens. He let me drive the van (or let me think I was driving) while sitting in his lap when I was 5-6 years old. He taught me how to drive a tractor, ride a mini-bike, and shoot BB guns. He was a very good father, and many children envied what I had.

Even as an adult after I was no longer living at home he was still teaching me life lessons. After he had his heart attack he changed, he mellowed. He was much more appreciative of life and we had many great conversations. During his last few years he got the itch to learn how to use computers. He actually got to get on the internet and send me e-mails the last few years of his life. I wish he could see the internet now, I can only imagine how much time he’d be on that computer.

I miss him dearly and wish I would have had more than the 33 years I had with him. Even 12 years after his death I still dream about him and remember good times. I know we must have had some bad times, but I can’t say I remember any of them. I’m sure he’d be glad to know that.

I appreciate everything my dad did for me. I know he sacrificed for me and as an adult I can appreciate more now than ever just how hard he worked.

My father went in the Army at the end of WWII. He was certainly not old enough to go to war. I will include a picture of him and you tell me if you would have wanted to see your child go to war at this age.

Custer, SD

It’s pretty amazing how technology has changed the way we travel compared to when I started my career. When I first started traveling we had to use maps and Cell phones were reserved for Senior Management.

This week after boarding the plane I was able to watch our route as we were flying. I watched the new US President Obama make his first speech (live from 30,000 feet). I was able to select my own movie and watch it. When I was bored with that I was able to pull out my iTouch containing so much music it would take me a week to listen to each song.

I enjoy watching the flight path and each trip I make sure to keep track of the route. This week on the way to Portland we took a more northern route than usual. The route took us from Atlanta over Nashville, St. Louis, Omaha, Custer (SD), Yellowstone, Montana, the Idaho Panhandle on to Portland.

The one city that stands out is Custer, SD. This is the town where my father was born. It’s in the Black Hills of South Dakota very close to Mount Rushmore. My grandparents and several uncles are buried there.

I remember my last trip to South Dakota was with my father to attend my grandmother’s funeral. He took me and showed me things he did as a child. We went to the edge of the badlands and around the mountains. I didn’t know it at the time but it would be my last trip to South Dakota with my father.

My mom has mentioned that she would like to go on vacation there again someday. I hope in the next few years we can make that happen.

I was such a fortunate child and my father was a great man. I’m sure there are many people out there who think their father is great. And there are many more that did not have a father or did not have a great one. I was very blessed to have my dad, he was a man I respected and I will write more about him in my future blogs. He passed away 12 years ago this spring. He would be so amazed to see the technology we take for granted now.