This question is tricky for me to define objectively and humbly from my perspective. Growing up in a Catholic home and attending a Catholic school, we were always taught not to boast or brag about ourselves. I will share some of my thoughts with my social circles, including my siblings and friends. Family members often say that if one of us were to hit the lottery, we all hope it would be me, Dan, because I would share my good fortune with everyone. My older siblings even call me “Big Hearted Dan”! In reality, all my siblings, as well as my wife and her family, are cut from the same cloth.
My Mother, a few years after my father passed, had put together a video for each of our family members with the help of my cousin Tim, who at the time had started his own Video company, using a collection of old slides, movies, and pictures from over the years ranging from 1945 up to 1976. She would also include stories of each of us outlined in the order we were born. My brother Larry, who had his own band and played mostly original music, wrote and produced a song simply called “Dad’s Song.”
In the video, my mother shared the story of how, in the winter of 1970, just before I turned 14 and a few months after we moved from the city to the suburbs, there was something that always stuck with her about me. We had a pretty substantial snowstorm. She worked for the Transit company, which recently merged PTC and the suburban Red Arrow division, forming what we now know as SEPTA. My father, after a debilitating stroke while driving the train for PTC in 1958, would, after his recovery, run the house after helping my mother find work with PTC. So, you can imagine why my mother felt she needed to work that day.
After shoveling our walkway and that of our neighbors, I headed out with my friend Kevin to take advantage of the snow that was tapering off that morning. We had a successful day and made a good haul. Each of us earned $175 for our hard work. After we finished, Kevin went home, but I mentioned that I had a few errands to run.
My first stop was Scott’s Market, where I bought my mother her favorite meat, a Leg of Lamb. Next stop, working my way home, was Polites Florist, where I picked up some rare flowers, especially in a winter snowstorm, a dozen Gladiolas. Crossing Garret Road, the next stop was La Ritz Bakery, where I picked up two slices of Strawberry Shortcake and a few Eclairs. Not forgetting my father, my last stop before heading home was Marshall’s Hardware Store, where I picked up his top-of-the-line Snow shovel as the old, rusty metal one I used all day had seen better days.
Points to Ponder: Today, we celebrate Fathers: Happy Father’s Day to all dads, grandads, stepdads, and all male figures who fill that role with love and guidance. Yesterday, we celebrated the birth of our military and the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, formed by the Continental Congress and led by General George Washington. Be thankful and acknowledge their service; without it, none of us is free.
Leave a comment