Happy Father's Day!

[L Verge]

Eva,

Thank you for this tribute. I was lucky enough to have my father with me until I was in my mid-30s - and also to have given him the granddaughter that he desperately wanted (not a grandson that might have to go to war - his thoughts, not mine). He thoroughly enjoyed her until he passed away when she was six.

My dad was not perfect. He was a functioning alcoholic during most of my teenage years on, but he was not abusive and always saw to the support of his family. Above all else, even at his worst, he was supportive of my education and my feelings. Because of his alcoholism and his being a chain smoker (like many men of his time), I lost him to throat cancer in 1979 - just five days before Christmas. It was a horrible death, and as much as I loved him, I ended up praying for God to take him at the end so that he could find relief.

My marriage ended two years later - five days after Christmas this time. How I wish I had still had my dad to help me raise my daughter. My mother did a fantastic job of helping, so I know that the two of them would have been the dynamic duo.

We read about so many fathers deserting their families today, being abusive, etc., and I saw quite a few dysfunctional fathers during my teaching career. I know we all have our memories of our fathers, and I hope that most of them are good ones. In case we have any teenagers and young adults reading this forum, I urge you to develop and maintain a good relationship with your fathers. It is so important to your future.