In 1908, the United States held its first modern Father's Day celebration in Fairmont, West Virginia. One hundred years later, Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama will spend it with his family and later give a speech about responsible fatherhood.
I was looking forward to hearing Obama's speech on fatherhood. You see I was raised in a loving single parent household of eight children. Like most of my students today, I was raised without a father.
Let me tell you what a wonderful gift I got this early Father's Day morning in Louisville, Kentucky.
More below the fold:
I am a older non-traditional student who was recently was accepted into a University of Louisville's program for first year teachers. Having spent the past two weeks on Master's related class work, I decided to go out and enjoy the evening at a local club called Jerry Green and Friends. Arriving about 10ish, I listen to the sounds of good southern music and danced to a few tunes. After doing a few steps on the dance floor, I decided to step outside for some air.
Once outside, I engaged in some general chit cha with two older African-American men who were standing outside. After about 15 minutes of male talk, I extended my hand and formally introduced myself. His eyes widen when he heard my last name.
Immediately he said, "are you related to Randy and Frank." Thinking that he meant two of my brothers, I said, "yes, they are my brothers".
"No I mean a older guy we called 6"9!" To which I ask who is that?
"6'9 was my neighbor in Suitland, Maryland; played in his younger day for the Harlem Globetrotters; had a son who coached for Ohio State back in the 1990s, a son who was Mayor of his hometown and two other other sons he talked about all the time."
I replied, "that sounds like my dad Frank Ayers." Again his eyes widen! "Man, he said, I loved your Dad! He and I would always go drinking and I would always take him shopping."
The only thing I regret he said sadly was that I had promised him one last drink before I moved out to Kentucky (where the gentlemen and his family relocated). When I told him that daddy had died a few years back, his head dropped.
And than without missing a beat he said "but I have his son". And for the next hour or so (on Father's Day morning), in Louisville, Kentucky - far from home and my own children, this stranger, friend to my father, paid for rounds! Me with my golfer's delight drink and he and his pals with the real stuff - toasting the memories of his friendship with our dad.
As the father of the late Tim Russert would said, "What a county!"
Morale of this story: Take the time to strength your relationship with family - the next drink may come too late!
Assalamu alaikum Family and Happy Father's Day!