For father's day.

[The Straight Story]

Dad, we have not always seen eye to eye. Despite how we differ as adults on political issues and such, I choose to celebrate instead the things about you that made me the person I am today.

You were a father to me until I was 18, then you became a dad. Might not make sense to some, but to me it is really clear.

While I was under your care you did your best to raise me and provide for me. You taught me to have an open mind about a great many things, you gave me a love for reading, for math, chess, computer programming, and so much more.

You have been there for me to talk to even when I most let you down, and I have loved you even when you have most let me down as well. You taught me that family is the glue that holds life together - through thick and thin and even when we disagree on many things. When it comes down to it you made it clear that you stick together with those you love and hold dear.

To be honest dad I know I have issues with you, and you with me, but today I want to let them go and hold on to the great memories I have of you instead of what is different between us.

You were a good man to me as I grew up, we had fun times and memories that I will never forget. I have only this one life to share with you and I'll be damned if I let it slip away because of stupid things like politics and religion and how we differ on them.

You took me fishing, you took me to work with you, I still remember the first Microwave oven I had ever seen and you cooking a hot dog in it and telling me how it worked. I remember the first computers that you had at work, and then buying me one so I could learn more about them (a trs-80 model 1) - and how I sat for hours trying to type in a program and then losing it because I did not save it right. I called you at work, and when you came home you typed it in for me in about 5 minutes and had it running.

You inspired me. You made me want to be a better person. We used to watch Mork and Mindy, In Search Of, and try weird experiments with ESP and such.

I know you feel bad at times because you think you did not spend as much time with me, and money, as you did my brother and sister as I was the youngest. But I want to tell you that did more than you could ever know.

You inspired me. You gave me a gift greater than anything I could have hoped for.

You taught me to love others, to love to learn, and to just be me.

You were a father I am proud to say I had growing up. And our differences today will never take away from the good job you did.

I am an adult now and things are different, but I will always think of you on father's day and remember what a good one you were.

Thanks dad. I will always love you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Straight Story!

Wow, what a beautiful tribute to your dad...

I hope you will send it so he can read and revel in it too!

I never had a son, but I would have been so damn proud to have had one like you...

Someday, your daughter might feel like writing one of these for you...

You never know!

Happy Father's Day!

:toast:

K&R

:patriot:

[roguevalley]

2. Your dad and mine, they were heroes. My dad is my hero, my friend,

my father. He stood up against prejudice in the forties when it could get you beaten and taught us all to look at the soul, not the bs. He will always, with my mom, be my hero. Thank you for your post, straight story. I salute your dad too.