I realize how very fortunate I am to still have my father. He celebrated his 91st birthday recently and lives an active life.
The US life expectancy for American males today is 76.3 years, so I guess our Italian family has some good genes.
I’m also lucky that he lives with my 90-year-old mother in Naples, Florida, only a three-hour drive away. I want to dedicate this Father’s day blog to my Dad.
First, a little history about Father’s Day in the United States from Andrew Hollandbeck.
“In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June of that year and encouraged states to do the same. Congress officially recognized Father’s Day in 1956 with the passage of a joint resolution.
Ten years later, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father’s Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon permanently established the observance of the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in the United States.”
I want to share a story from my childhood about my Dad. Even then I learned important life lessons that although I didn’t realize it, would impact me forever.
My Dad loves to fly kites. Up until a few years ago, he used to design and make his own kites. When we were children, my Dad made box kites for my twin brothers and myself, and taught us how to fly them. Just a few years ago he shared his kite-flying techniques on the beach in Marco Island with my granddaughters.
The kites he made us in the 1950s were constructed using a very light wood. I thought it was balsa, but now that I have asked him about it, he said that it was cedar, cut from some cedar siding that had been stored from house construction materials. He used newspaper for the body and rags for the tail. I didn’t remember this detail until I recently talked with my brother Rick, who reminded me that Dad used flour and water to make the glue used to secure the newspaper to the wood and around the string. Very resourceful! We helped put the kites together. No real expense to these kites and yet a lot of fun.
One of those times, when I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, we had spent much time and effort and worked really hard to get my kite up in the air, Finally my kite was flying high and everything seemed so perfect. All of a sudden, I needed to go to the bathroom. I just let go of the kite, never thinking about the fact that it would continue flying into infinity.
Needless to say, once I saw that kite flying away with the string no longer attached to anything, I began to cry. I was devastated. That was an early lesson in life about holding onto things you want. I realized that once you let something go, it may never come back.
I still remember that experience like it was yesterday. My Dad was very comforting and I never forgot how I felt. It’s the little things in life that have so much meaning.
I love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day, Dad and to all the dads, step-dads, and dads-to-be.
To my friends who no longer have their dads with them I hope your memories will last a lifetime.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment.
Ciao and Grazie.
Have you stopped by my Instagram page lately? See what images inspire me.
Anonymous
A special memory
Each year Dan & I realize more what great care and love we had from our parents. I know it’s because we have heard and read too many children suffer at home😔
margieinitaly
We were very blessed to grow up in loving homes. I appreciate it to this day.
Leisa Peck
That was a great
,Loved it.
margieinitaly
Thanks so much, Leisa
margieinitaly
Yes Andrea. I am very blessed! Grazie
Stacy di Anna
What a sweet post, Margie. You are so blessed to still have your parents!
Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat
What a wonderful memory. He sounds like a fantastic dad. Thanks for sharing.
margieinitaly
Thanks so much. I feel blessed!
Tony
Great post, and a great story about your Dad and life’s lessons! Thanks for sharing!
margieinitaly
Thanks so much Tony. Im glad you enjoyed it.
leelaurinoLee
How very lucky you are to have both of your parents with you.
and it appears being Italian/American may give us a gift of a longer life.
Growing up very poor my father never spent money on himself and made sure we were taken car of even after he was gone.
thanks for sharing your story
margieinitaly
And thank you too Lee for sharing yours. Your father left you with wonderful memories
Anonymous
Hi Marge,
We are all very lucky to have a Dad like ours still with us, aren’t we ?
Love,
Your brother Rick
margieinitaly
Thank you so much Rick. Yes we are and I’m lucky to have a brother like you too❤️
Book Club Mom
What a wonderful story. I can see how that memory would stay with you always. And one with such meaning too. My father just turned 90 in April and my mother will be 91 next month. They are still doing well and I’m so happy we see them often!
margieinitaly
Thanks Barbara. So glad you are fortunate enough to have your parents too. Enjoy them as long as you can
stellalucentellc
What a beautiful tribute to your father, Marge! Loved reading it!
margieinitaly
Thank you Kathryn. I’m glad you enjoyed it.