Two fine examples of first rate dads. My father, who raised five pretty cool people and my husband who is raising (even though they are adults now) three very cool people.
Let me write of my dad first as he is much older and it only seems fair. Plus he uses a cane now and there is a chance that I will get poked with it if I show him any type of comical disrespect.
The stories of my dad's childhood are always in bits and pieces, usually just a bit about when he put a log in the alley or had a police siren on his bike. There weren't many if any sob stories. He does not share a lot about his dad and over the years I have figured out to ask carefully. It is his mom that raised him with the help of her parents and her other sons. My Uncle Earl and Uncle Horace were the male role models in my dad's life. It is so evident when he speaks of them. Anyway, the lessons he learned or didn't learn from his own father had to have molded the father he became.
Now don't get me wrong, Bob Snow was not a perfect dad because there can be no such thing, be he was and is pretty great. My dad coached his kids in sports, he was active at the church and school. He was someone that could be counted on to get it done. And it was always done with a little extra something. I remember when he made to center pieces for the school athletic banquet, he created gyms and football and softball fields on Styrofoam, perfectly painted to scale. He was so creative and had such an eye for detail. There's a trait I wish would have passed down.
I was a pretty big screw up and my dad had to be so frustrated and disappointed in me. Here was a guy that worked really hard for shitty pay and he, along with my mom, made sure that I was well educated and needed for nothing. I don't know that I ever expressed my appreciation. I don't think I realized how hard they worked and what they gave up for us until I was a parent of my own.
My dad shared his loves with me through AM radio on early mornings. That is where I learned about Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. He made sure I saw Singing in the Rain. He pointed Walter Payton out to me when we watched the Bears play. I understood the value of something old and well made. I learned to not wash a coffee mug. I learned to suck it up and stick it out.
My dad is now 80. He has had a tremendous life. He has been around the world, to the bottom of it twice. He has been active in all of his children's lives and has been right in the middle of half of his grand children's lives. The other half lived far away. He has been loved by two wonderful women. He has shared his moon cheese with some pretty loyal dogs. He has made an impact not only on his own kids, but on their friends, the kids he coached, his nieces and nephews. Dad, Mr. Snow, Coach Snow, Uncle Bob.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. I know that Crissy, Sheila and Dicky will celebrate with you. They will make you your favorites, you will nap in front of the TV, Mae will try to get in your lap. It will be a good day.
And then there is the man that I was lucky enough to find, to keep and to raise kids with. Danny White, you are a pretty great dad as well. There are many similarities between these two dads. Mainly both would have done whatever it took to provide for their families.
There are so many great and wonderful things I can say about Danny as a father but I think it is what the kids say that best sums up the dad he has been.
Danny has been gone a lot. There were more deployments and training exercises than I care to remember. Even after the military, there has been training and call outs and call ins. And through it all the kids will tell you that they don't remember Danny being gone. I think that speaks volumes about the dad that he was and is.
I am blessed beyond measure to have these men in my life. Their gifts and lessons are never ending. Though cloaked in whisker rubs and karate chops, these men have shown unconditional love and warmth always. Happy Father's Day to two of the best!
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