I often talk about my mom here and not my dad. Well my father is a rock star. How about a few happy stories.
At the top of the list is this. We had an openly gay family member move home. Literally around the corner from my parents. We were (my brother and I) not sure how this would work out. I don't think at this time my father ever knew an openly gay person. They asked him if they could go to church with him. This is a church that my family literally built with our hands. He was like sure.
It didn't take long to see folks didn't like a gay couple attending their church. Terrible things being said about them. My father was like WTF people. How dare you treat them like this. They are family! Who are you folks? He was told it was just how it was. He said fuck you and that check he was about to write as he often did to said church will not be written. Never again. That church is dead to my family.
A few more happy stories below the fold ....
Just some random thoughts.
I often joke here I am a military brat. That is actually not 100% true. General Service (GS) for the military, but alas around the military 24/7. Dad wanted to enlist to fight in Vietnam. But broke both his legs jumping out of a plane in military high school. They wouldn't take him. His parents were rich. Working on a path where he'd get his PhD. He had so many "outs" for the draft I don't know where to start, but he felt a need to rise to the cause when asked. Service to the nation. Service. You want to see my dad pissed off get a "chicken hawk" on TV talking about a war they didn't fight. Oh that isn't pretty.
On the same level after my father got his PhD he went to work for the DoD (that GS thing). A military tactician. Taught at the Army War College. He taught military tactics but HATES war. The first book I read was Sun Tzu's The Art Of War. First book read in his class. My main take away from the book is if you have to fight you have already lost. War sucks. Avoid it at all cost. He isn't close to a liberal but hates we went to war in Iraq. You choose where you fight. War ain't pretty. Choose wisely.
Books. Books. Books. I am 44. I make a fair amount of money. But my dad treats me like I am 10 when it comes to books. He bought the house across from where he lives to house all his books. If I say I am interested in this or that he buys me every book he can find. I mean how cool is that?
Now this graph is going to get hard to write. Emotional. For about 15+ years I never talked with my parents. Months would go by. Years when I'd not see them. My dad did what I think in hindsight was the coolest thing in the world. At least once a week he wrote me a letter. Handwritten. I NEVER once responded, but they kept coming. I now realize they were such a labor of love. Often saying things like we just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you. We hope you are doing well. Then telling me things like it was too hot to mow the lawn. Watermelon was on sale. They ate a lot of watermelon.
Now how do I say this? Keep in mind the 70s. I don't think this would stand now. I was the short fat kid. I got picked on a lot. When my dad learned about this he called the school. They didn't seem to care. You know kids will be kids. My father taught me how to defend myself. The lessons always started the same way, walk away. Always walk away from a fight if you can. But if you can't then rain down pain and destruction. I can do that :). I am also not the short fat kid anymore. Ok short, but not overweight :)!
Oh and just a final thing. This is a pic of my mom on her first date with my dad. 47 years ago.
In a '57 Ford Thunderbird. About 40 years later when he retired he tracked that car down, it was in Texas, and bought it. Gave it to my mom and said I love you!
I mean how cool is that?