Real life nephews
Jul. 4th, 2008 05:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
urbpanBorn on the Fourth of July isn't just a movie title, it's the coincidental truth for a whole bunch of people in my life. For starters, my friends Kendra, and Brooke, who don't read this, but if they happen to--HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENDRA!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKE!! Brooke owns a small motorboat, and historically takes it out onto the Charles on her birthday with a friend or two, and watches the fireworks in her honor.
For the second time, I learned that a coworker's father had today as a birthday. Not a tremendous coincidence, but I got a feeling of de ja vu when I heard myself saying, 'MY dad's birthday is the fourth of July, too!'
In 1934 on this date my Dad was born. Thirty-five years and about a month later I came along. I consider my dad to be my chief role model, and something very much like a friend. We have been summer traveling companions for the past eight years, and he's brought me to Rio, The Galapagos, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, and Easter Island. We get along better than many fathers and sons do, and since my brother also has a good relationship with him, I'll give Dad the credit. He's wise and patient and full of good humor. This year he finished his fiftieth year of teaching (social studies, including American History, which makes the 'born on the fourth of July' thing kind of cute) and he has no plans to stop. People ask him why he hasn't retired and it's like they've asked him why he hasn't had his hands amputated. Why the hell would I do that? He loves his work, he loves his students, and he loves New England. He loves my mother with a devotion that other husbands should take to heart. Despite the fact that he is unable to take care of her so she lives in a nursing home, and she hasn't recognized him in over a decade, he still sees her every day that he can, sometimes for hours holding her hand as she sleeps, sometimes twice a day.
He also doesn't read this, unless my brother or I show it to him. He's got better things to do than to figure out the internet.
I love him very much, and am proud to call him Father. Well, I just call him Dad.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
For the second time, I learned that a coworker's father had today as a birthday. Not a tremendous coincidence, but I got a feeling of de ja vu when I heard myself saying, 'MY dad's birthday is the fourth of July, too!'
In 1934 on this date my Dad was born. Thirty-five years and about a month later I came along. I consider my dad to be my chief role model, and something very much like a friend. We have been summer traveling companions for the past eight years, and he's brought me to Rio, The Galapagos, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, and Easter Island. We get along better than many fathers and sons do, and since my brother also has a good relationship with him, I'll give Dad the credit. He's wise and patient and full of good humor. This year he finished his fiftieth year of teaching (social studies, including American History, which makes the 'born on the fourth of July' thing kind of cute) and he has no plans to stop. People ask him why he hasn't retired and it's like they've asked him why he hasn't had his hands amputated. Why the hell would I do that? He loves his work, he loves his students, and he loves New England. He loves my mother with a devotion that other husbands should take to heart. Despite the fact that he is unable to take care of her so she lives in a nursing home, and she hasn't recognized him in over a decade, he still sees her every day that he can, sometimes for hours holding her hand as she sleeps, sometimes twice a day.
He also doesn't read this, unless my brother or I show it to him. He's got better things to do than to figure out the internet.
I love him very much, and am proud to call him Father. Well, I just call him Dad.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
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no subject
Date: 2008-07-04 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-04 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-04 05:52 pm (UTC)Happy birthday to your dad and everyone else! :)
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Date: 2008-07-06 10:09 pm (UTC)/wipes away tears
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Date: 2008-07-07 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-09 01:58 am (UTC)For the longest time we kept a recording of a message your dad left me on our answering machine -- just because I adore the sound of his voice. I think he was in Virginia, and called because he was "close". Your mom would be proud of the three of you.
no subject
Date: 2008-07-09 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-07-18 08:06 am (UTC)My dad was born on November 5th--Guy Fawkes Day--so he also got fireworks to celebrate his birthday :-) Actually, most years he got to fire em off himself in the back garden.
He was born in 1929, and died in 1984, a few days shy of his birthday, of a brain tumor. He was a mathematician and operations research guy--in his last job he worked on aviation safety so he was able to travel all over the place, which he loved. I miss him very much.
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