Happy Father's Day!

Growing up, I was always proud of my Dad. From the time I understood what a police officer was to his transition and subsequent career as the City of Pontiac’s preeminent communications expert, it’s the type of thing a kid can be proud of in front of other kids.  Not that a factory worker or a street sweeper is less honorable, but they are in a kid’s eyes, not quite as glamorous or noble.  I can remember not being much more than a toddler and wanting to grow up to be a policeman like Dad.  As I got older, I had an interest in being a radio technician.  Somehow I wound up as a greasemonky.  I'm not sure how that works.

Radios fascinated me to some extent.  I remember when we lived in Pontiac, Dad brought home a little crystal set and the wire attached to the cold water pipe for ground.  In Oxford, Dad bought me a kit.  I don’t remember if the silly thing ever worked, I don’t think it did.  Building it entailed a lot soldering.  If building that radio did nothing else (like work when I finished it), it taught me how to solder – a skill I’ve used a lot over the years.  He also set up a shortwave radio on a desk in the Utility Room.  I could sit and tune in some stronger shortwave stations like the BBC and I could also tune in and listen on the Ham bands.  There was ham operator that would come on at 4 PM every day. I don’t remember his call sign, but with his fluid Florida drawl, he would announce to the world that he was “John from Pompano Beach, Florida USA.  I eventually got a ham license of my own about16 years ago.  I let it lapse.  computers came along.

I remember going to see Dad at work when he was in the basement of the Police Station, near the garage.  I remember helping run cables and even installing antennas in new police cars.  He would sometimes take one or more of us out to Milford or wherever he had a little contract to maintain their radios.  After I got my license, he would have me drive out to Milford in the middle of the night when he got a call while he tried to catch some sleep.  One fateful night, he didn’t get a lot of sleep on the way home.  On one of those back roads we always took, I hit a skunk.  That woke him up!  That car smelled bad!

I can’t tell you how much I always enjoyed those vacations to Arizona, Washington D.C., Gettysburg, Tahquamenon Falls, and of course Niagara Falls. 

I think I’ve always admired his sense of humor more than anything.  He’s the master of dirty tricks and practical jokes.  From the stories he’s told over the years from his stint in the Army to now, he’s done some of the funniest stuff.  You can always tell something’s up, he gets a silly grin on his face and big twinkle in his eye.

Somewhere he taught me responsibility.  I remember him one day telling me I needed a haircut.  I told him I’d decided to let my hair grow and he just looked at me and asked me where I planned on sleeping.  I told him in my bed (Wondering why he would ask me such an obviously silly question) and he replied quite matter of fact, “No you’re not!  If you don’t want to obey my rules, you are going to have to live somewhere else.  When you start paying for your room and board, you can have a say."  It’s pretty much stuck with me.  One other lesson he taught me was to stay out of trouble.  He always told me that if the cops arrested me for something, I was on my own.  He wasn’t going to bail me out.  It’s what I’ve told my kids.  Don’t do the crime unless you can do the time.

I could probably sit here and write all night.  The point to all of this is to honor my Dad.  As I look over my life, it doesn’t take much to realize that we are four lucky kids to have a Dad like ours.  I not only see a lot of him in me as a Dad, but also me as a grandfather.  I’m not quite as good at it as he is, but I’m working on it!

So Happy Father’s Day, You Old Buffalo!  I just wish I could be there today and be with you!  (He's still back in Michigan)

I love you!

VW

Comments

[thirdee]

Very nice VW. Sounds like you had a good dad.

I could go on for hours about my dad too. He's a priceless treasure and the best man I know.

He worked 70-80 hours a week when I was home and only in the last few years has he slowed down. His priority was us-his family. He did what he had to do to make sure we didn't do without. Looking back, I never remember worrying about anything. Food was always on the table, we always had a place to call home. Our needs were always meant.

We'd go to church and all it took was one look my way from him for me to know I better watch my p's and q's. He only spanked me a handful of times. The reason why it wasn't more-because I knew if he said something, he meant it. (Good golly how I need to work on that with my girlies.)

One of the things I see now that I'm older-my dad is very patient and kind. He doesn't get angry quickly. He's forgiving. He enjoys the important things in life. I love him much. :)

Happy Father's Day Mr. VW

[Mike Pittman]

Thanks, Thirdee!

I'm very grateful I still have him. He's still going strong at 79. Plays tuba in a little brass band and keeps busy with the various Masonic groups he belongs to.

Looks like we got the two best. Sorry for everyone else! LOL

VW

[thirdee]

Make sure he takes his dosage of Fish Oil... :) just to insure he stays around as long as possible.

Enjoy what's left of your Father's Day VW.

[Just another republican]

My old man frequents this site occasionaly So I'll let him know here as the time difference makes communicating nigh on impossible.

Love ya pops.