May 1, 1912

Today, May 1st is my father’s birthday. If he were still alive he would be 97 this year.

I grew up in a situation that is rare today. My parents never divorced and they had been married for over 40 years. My mother was a stay at home mom that reared four children. My father owned a business by day, but also worked from 5pm to 2am at a local steel mill. We wanted for nothing. He didn’t have a lot of time, but he was always there when we needed him.

I can honestly say that I never heard him utter an ill word about anyone. He was a positive person. At an early age I was skeptical about people and their intentions. There were people I didn’t like just from their looks, but he would talk with anyone and find a golden center to everyone.

I was talking with my mother the other day. She was complimenting one of my nephews on his parenting skills and how he involved he is in the care and upbringing of his child. That didn’t happen in the old days. I don’t think my father ever changed or washed a diaper. He never cooked a meal or made the bed. Back then fathers worked and often worked themselves to death. Though they weren’t involved in the daily home scut work they were the foundation of the stability of the family.

I’m not saying that the modern family unit lacks stability. I am only commenting on the stability my father provided our family unit. The photo above is of my parents before children. I have no idea why they are posed on a tank. My father was never in the military.