Father's Day Letters

I am the only daughter of 5 children. My dad worked 10 hours/day, 6 days/week. We never had much. Summer "vacations" were Sunday afternoon trips for ice cream, but we were happy and appreciated everything we had.

It never takes people long to figure out I'm "Merle's daughter." It could be the identical laugh lines, our mirror-image chins, or our complete love of baseball. People also say that I tell stories like my dad. Below is the story of the sole memory I have of enjoying a day alone with my parents.

It was the summer of 1984. I was 8 and my uncle scored tickets to the Brewer game for us all. By some magic, my dad left work early. My brothers drove to Milwaukee with my uncle while my pregnant mom, dad, and I drove down separately. On our way, we were in an accident and the man responsible felt horrible about it. He, too, was headed to the game. He had three extra box seats, and when he learned of our destination, he gave us the tickets. When we arrived to the stadium, my uncle insisited that we enjoy the game from these seats.

I remember everything about that day and that game. To this day, it was one of the best days of my life.

Last May I was telling that story to my children before our trip to the Brewer Game. Later, when speaking to my dad, I shared how they delighted in hearing it. I also expressed to him my gratitude for that day and told him what it meant to me.

On my next birthday, I tore into the mail. In it was a card from my dad. Enclosed was my gift: a Rollie Fingers baseball card (it was he who pitched that memorable game) and a ticket stub that read June 14, 1984. Tears saturated my face as I held evidence of that cherished day in my hands. No greater gift had I received than that ticket stub, held safely by my father all of these years. I could barely speak as I called to thank him, still feeling the amazing awe of the memory almost breathing life through that stub. As I searched for words to thank him, he said, "Well, Trina, that day was pretty special to me too."

My amazing dad is now nearing 70. In winter, you will find him at his table, leaning over his latest baseball card finds. But if it's summer and the Brewers are playing, he will be listening to Uecker on the radio, watching the game on tv, or, if he's lucky enough, at Miller Park, rooting on his favorite team as the peanut shells crack beneath his sneakers. And now I know that if the smell of hot dogs catches him just right, the memory of that day spent watching baseball through the eyes of his little 8 year old girl still gives him reason to smile.

Our dad lost his job almost four years ago when the factory he had worked at for 16 years shut down. It was very scary for our family. The job market was not good and dad had never gone to college, so he didn't have an education to fall back on. Dad sat down with all of us and asked us what we thought of him going back to school to get a degree. At first, we thought it was silly. He was "old", how was he going to go back to school? However, after a few more discussions, and still no job, dad didn't have a choice but to go back to school and better himself with a skilled trade education.

When dad was in school, he missed many different events for my brother and me. There were many missed ball games, missed parent/teacher conferences, missed banquets and many family dinners without him. It was hard on us not having him there. Sometimes we would get mad because he would always choose his schooling instead of going to one of our games or other activities. What we didn't realize was how hard missing these things was for him.

Our dad deserves to win these tickets. In the past four years, he has earned two degrees, graduated with honors, and sacrificed more than anyone knows. He is still without a job, but he tries everyday to change that. He is feeling very discouraged and sometimes wonders if going to school was worth everything he missed. Winning these tickets would give us an opportunity as a family to celebrate his accomplishments.

Whether we receive these tickets or not, our dad will always be a winner. He has taught us that no matter what challenge you face, you have the strength to get through it. Watching him do his schoolwork has influenced my brother and me. We are better students thanks to the dedication he has shown for his own schooling. We have learned there is nothing that we can't do. His strength, love, support, and courage are what make him the best!

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” My dad truly lives out that famous quote daily, which is why I think he is amazing.

My dad retired last year, after 40 years of service as the Executive Director of my hometown’s park district. He devoted his entire career to one community - hundreds and hundreds of families - by providing programs and activities that enrich individuals and families. The whole town knew him, and the whole town loved him. He was named the Illinois State Honored Professional of the Year in 2011, and at his retirement party, he was honored by the renaming of a facility in our hometown to his name. He truly made a living by giving.

My dad demonstrates Churchill’s words also in his home life. While my siblings and I were growing up, he religiously attended our sports, academic, and extracurricular activities.

He made sure that we had family game nights and individual “dates with dad.” He loved my mom and prioritized his marriage so that we would know how to do the same to our spouses in the future. He gave us the best gifts - the intangible kinds of gifts, like quality time and activities that foster character development. He was a Christian father - one that truly “walked the walk.” He taught us the value in giving of our talents and treasures to the poor. Essentially, he taught us the meaning of Luke 14:13 “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” Not only did he hire/employ those with special needs in the park district, but he consistently taught us how to and why to tithe our earnings (our allowance) and volunteer in the community. Perhaps it was this upbringing that created the drive in me to go into social work as my career today.

My dad is now a grandfather to 6 kids under 9, and he continues to make a life by what he gives. The example that best comes to mind is how amazing he has been with his granddaughter, who is two years old and has both Down Syndrome and Celiac Disease. She has been very sick for the past year with health issues that have her doctors perplexed. My dad has spent countless weekends/hours/etc helping my sister take care of her, helping to offset some of the expensive medical costs, and simply providing respite so that she and her husband can have some needed alone time/date nights.

My dad is the best dad. I think Winston Churchill would agree...

(Words from a 3-1/2 year old, with help from mom)

My daddy is so amazing because his love for me shows in everything he does. I watch him all the time. I am almost 4 years old and my daddy makes me and everyone in my family feel safe and special. He is 6'5" and holds my hand whereever we go, but the most special times, is when he plays bride with me. We walk with flowers and music and daddy says someday this pretending will be real. But for now, I am just happy to be HIS little girl, and hold his hand as I go through life.

(The words of a 10 year old, with typing help from mom)

My dad is amazing because he plays catch with me and helps me get better at basketball and baseball. He loves me no matter what, even if I get in trouble. He works hard to provide for our family. Not only does he do things for our family, but he always thinks of and offers to help others.

My dad thinks of fun things to do with me. We spend Tuesday nights together, just him and me, while my mom is working. He takes me bowling or to the movies or to a baseball game. Sometimes, he just plays games with me.

My dad is always there for me and my brother and sister. He taught me to ride a bike, shoot a basketball, hit a baseball off a pitch when I was only 2 years old and how to be funny. Even though his knees are bad, he still plays catcher to help me practice pitching. My dad is the best!

My dad gives his time and talents to help others. He knows a lot about money things and politics and he is always giving advice and help to others. He is very smart and he even wrote a book to help others learn about money and their retirement. He also helps our neighbors by snow-blowing and anything else they need help with in their yards. He recently fell off the ladder while painting our house and still was making others laugh by making jokes as he laid on the concrete waiting for the paramedics – it was scary for me, but he was ok (except for the concussion and broken bone in his arm and back).

He jokes about being “good looking” and always makes us all laugh!

I know that my dad will always love me and be there for me to help me as I grow. He is my role model for how to be when I grow up. He loves watching me play sports and do the things I love. It makes me feel good knowing that he will always be there for me.

I love my dad. My dad is Amazing.

We don’t get to choose our family, but if I could, I would choose my father time and time again. He is special in all of the usual ways, and special in many many more unusual ones… My dad stopped for every stranded motorist we ever saw, he stopped traffic so the ducks could cross, he taught me how to graft apple trees, lay concrete, make motors, and he supported me in my academic and sporting endeavors. My father could tell a good joke; he could even make the bad jokes sound funny! My father is a fighter – he beat cancer, he ran a marathon after heart surgery, and he never gave up on anything, or anyone. He was so much more than a father, he was a friend, a teacher, an ingenuitive mind, and now he is an angel.

My father was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident just three weeks before his first grandchild, my son, was born. The very last time we saw him was at my baby shower. He was so excited to be a grandfather! Although it still pains me deeply, and the fathoms of loss still run deep, I cannot help but rejoice in all of the good times we had together.

Some of my fondest memories are those that my family spent at County Stadium. We used to go to the games early so that we could watch batting practice. My father would sprint around the stadium and always made sure that I went home with a ball. After the games we would stay late and try to get a glimpse of the players leaving the game. Afterward we would head to Gillies for custard. I remember those long days and cherish the smiles and laughs that we shared. I would love to start the same tradition with my family and my two little boys at Miller Park – my father would have loved to have taken them to a game! And we would love to go in his memory.

Even though my father is not physically here with us, he is always with me. He taught me how to be a good person, the value of your word, to have fun and laugh, and to live life to its fullest. He taught me to cherish every day. My father and I have always had a very special bond; we always will.

So on this Father’s Day, and every day, I love you, and I miss you dearly dad! XO

My Dad is amazing because he is a genuine, selfless, faith-filled man.

In the past three years, he devoted much of his spare time to the care of my Grandpa, who passed away from complications of Alzheimer's Disease on February 12, 2012. The beautiful part of my Dad's willingness to watch over my Grandpa is that it was his father-in-law, yet-treated my Grandpa as if he was his own Dad. My Dad is also active in volunteering in feeding the homeless at his parish in Janesville as food is distributed to families in need- rain or shine. Dad also helps us kids out by doing odd jobs around the house and babysitting or entertaining the Grandkids as us adult children work or run errands. My Dad is the Grandpa of three special-needs Grandsons and treats them as if they're the most special children on the planet. My son Peter, who is a huge Milwaukee Brewers fan, has autism and plays whiffle ball with my Dad as their favorite pastime. Attached is a picture of my Dad - who is one in a million! Dad worked hard for 32 years as a pipefitter at General Motors in Janesville, and since his retirement in 2006, has continued to serve our family and community with his love.

I may be only 2 months old, but I know my Daddy is the best &, as a huge Brewer fan, deserves to go to a game as my gift to him.

I heard him say at my first ultrasound that seeing my picture was the best day of his whole life, and Mommy told me how awesome he was helping her during delivery. Daddy loves talking to me - he always tells me how cute I am. He's an expert at burping me and isn't too bad at dressing me, even though my outfits sometimes go on backwards. He's
so silly - always making up words to nursery rhymes & songs he doesn't know; he makes me smile.

I know I'm his whole world & that's why he's the best.

Two years ago, my mother received a phone call confirming breast cancer. The doctors instructed us to act quickly because this particular type of breast cancer moves quick and by the time she would could feel the effects it would be to late.

You're probably wonder why I started this Fathers Day Contest letter off about my about my mother. Well, I had to explain the bad before I got to the worst. My father, was not the nicest person when he was at home. He by no means was abusive in anyway, but was certainly not a pleasure to be around. He had a large temper with a short fuse. The funny thing is, everyone who met him thought he was wonderful and could do no wrong, but home was a different story. To say the least, once we entered the thresh hold of the house there was no more forced smiles or playful banter, it was back to being grumpy and walking on egg shells.

Once the realization of the word "cancer" set in, things started to change. My mother had doctors appointments and treatments and surgeries. She was no longer "super mom" she needed help. I am the oldest and the only girl so naturally I took on the Things that needed doing around the house. A few months went by no one had really heard much out of my dad despite the fact that we all lived in the same house.

One afternoon he called me down to the basement to ask me "How do I turn this on?". He was standing I front of the washer and dryer with a mixed load of colors, whites, darks and all 5 family members clothes. I asked him if he had out any soap in yet and he responded with a very somber and/or serious face "no" so we put some in and I showed him what buttons to push.

From that day on he was a completely different man. He hugs my mother and I now. He plays ball with my brothers. He not only smiles and laughs at jokes when no one is around but he makes them too.

In the past two years the only thing I have heard my father raise his voice about was for his favorite team to score at a baseball game. He enjoys spending time with us now. We truly have a family.

Not many people can say that they have seen their father change drastically in less then two years. Not many people can say that their relationship with their father not only improved but formed entirely. I can honestly say that I am proud of him. Sometimes it takes a bad situation to change someone. My mother recovered and has shown no signs of cancer. She is happy and healthy just like our family.

Here are some (well actually a LOT) of things my dad does for me that are AMAZING. He takes me really cool places, he takes my sister and I to school every day, he volunteers for our school and church, he helps me with homework, he cares about our pets (like he feeds our horses and cats, gives our hermit crab a bath, makes hay and buys hay for our animals, the list goes on forever!), he takes us out to eat and to buy treats, he lets me have friends over a lot, and he does things that kids don’t usually think about; like paying for taxes and mortgage, gas and new houses, insurance, a lot of different stuff!

My dad also teaches us. I mean, really, when you stop to think about it, your father has taught you a lot. Most importantly, he teaches you about your religion. Second most important, he teaches you right and wrong. I know getting scolded and punished and embarrassed all these years, it can get tiring. But your father is really teaching you! Have you ever thought about it from that angle? Even things your dad doesn’t let you do, he’s doing it for your own good. You’ll thank him when you get older for what he didn’t let you do now!
One of the most important things that I (and everyone around me) admire about my dad is his kindness. He is never rude, even if he is annoyed. He helps my neighbors and he thanks them if they do something for him. My dad is one of the kindest people I know. Even if he gets mad, his kindness will show through him by apologizing.

One thing I can definitely say about my dad is that he isn’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t, like, the best dad in the WHOLE, WIDE, WORLD! Because he is. I mean, nobody is perfect, you have to make mistakes. My dad always confesses that he made a mistake, he never lies about it. I know that I want to be like my dad when I grow up!
The last thing I’d like to tell you about my dad is that he had humor. Some fathers do, some don’t. My dad is one of the ones that had a lot. He shares it with us, too.

I really do take all that my dad does for me for granted. I don’t know what I’d do without him. My dad really is very AMAZING.

My dad's a guy who values a smart society.
He shops at Goodwill cause he likes the variety.
He recycles, reuses, and conserves.
We all should, he observes.
But most all, he's a great dad!
And like Goodwill, that's not just a fad.

He's shops there all year.
Whether for new or old, with no fear.
And he always finds a thing or two.
That keeps him coming back - true blue.

It's the value, says he.
It's the hunt, we see.
With treasures galore.
He'll always be back for more!

If you asked him how he'd like to spend a day,
I'm quite sure he would non-hesitantly say,
At the nearest Goodwill, with a wink and a smile,
But we know full well, it'll be awhile!

We can see from his face,
That this isn't a race,
Though he intends to win,
Wait! - just one more bin!

And when he's had his fill,
then comes a pleasant surprise - the bill!
Always lower than what you might guess..
We're always surprised, I must confess!

He has a motto, and it's true...
Never buy new when used will do!

Meet my dad - Born in Wisconsin (he’s a HUGE Brewers fan!) into a family of eleven children, my dad rose above the life of crime and drugs that his siblings chose and instead became the first member of his family to graduate from college. (He even went on to receive a master’s degree from the London Business School, while working and supporting his family!). Even after his house burned down or when he was broke and had to live in his car, he was determined to succeed in the face of adversity. When his second child was diagnosed with Autism, he and my mother tested every theory available to help give their son the best life that they could. My dad managed to seamlessly move his family from the US to London, England when all three children were under the age of five, and when the opportunity came eight years later for his son to attend mainstream schooling he decided that a move back to small town Illinois was the best decision and made the move again. When this left him unemployed, he did not hesitate to try something new. He became mayor and gave so much back to the new community he called home. He became a board member for local organizations and encouraged my siblings and me to get involved with volunteer work. Even though he had three children involved in different types of extracurricular activities, he never missed a performance or sporting event. He helped support three children through college at the same time. When I became incredibly ill, he accompanied me to hospital appointments and cared for me after each surgery. For 26 years he has been faithful to my mother and has been her best friend. Most importantly, he has never forgotten where he came from. He moved his parents from northern WI to his home in Illinois, even building an extra suite to accommodate his father. Since then, he has helped a few of his siblings back on their feet by giving them job opportunities and helping them to find stability in their lives. One brother just became a homeowner for the first time! My father has always put his family before himself. He has taught me how to give back to my community and to stand up for what is right. He isn’t perfect, but he has humbly demonstrated how to always strive to be the best that one can be. He has taught me how to love and how to forgive, how to succeed and how to stand again when I fail. As a little girl and as a grown woman, my dad has and will always be my hero.