Father
Happy Fathers day.
I learned a lot from my dad. I learned how to cook on a charcoal grill. I learned how to enjoy camping, and I mean roughing it, in a tent, cooking over a fire. I learned how to love fixing things, taking them apart, putting them back together, rudimentary wood and metal skills. I learned honesty and integrity.
I also have noticed that I share his love of alcohol. The last time I visited, every night, he would have 2 or three scotches before bed, staying up late, always later than mom.
I don't know how happy he is. I don't know if he is proud of me or not. I know that he was disappointed that I didn't go into science like he did, he's a chemist, working his way up the ranks in Dow Chem. from working at the bench doing real science, to being a manager, and not keeping his hand in. I remember the day he came home and announced his promotion offer. It meant a big raise, and opportunity for future growth, but it also meant that he no longer got to do the hands-on work that he loves. He took the job. He also learned a lot of fields of chemistry. He loved organic, started in it, but also learned in-organic, plastics and even some pharmaceutical, all thru having to manage those departments.
I think I probably could have gone into the sciences, but I hated book learning. I hated all the math and science classes after 11th grade. Although I know that he respects the fact that, contrary to his first inclinations, I AM able to earn a living in theatre, and keep a wife. Not lavishly, but not on welfare. I just wish he could see more of my shows. He's down in Florida now. Doing the typical retirement thing. Condo with gators in the back yard. Small dogs kept on a short leash because of the aformentioned yard ornaments. Voting Republican because of moral values, hating Clinton for the same reason. Doing physical therapy workouts two or three times a week because of his heart bypasses and replaced knees and hips. Looking more and more like his dad. Me? I get to look more and more like my Brother. Swell.
I learned a lot from my dad. I learned how to cook on a charcoal grill. I learned how to enjoy camping, and I mean roughing it, in a tent, cooking over a fire. I learned how to love fixing things, taking them apart, putting them back together, rudimentary wood and metal skills. I learned honesty and integrity.
I also have noticed that I share his love of alcohol. The last time I visited, every night, he would have 2 or three scotches before bed, staying up late, always later than mom.
I don't know how happy he is. I don't know if he is proud of me or not. I know that he was disappointed that I didn't go into science like he did, he's a chemist, working his way up the ranks in Dow Chem. from working at the bench doing real science, to being a manager, and not keeping his hand in. I remember the day he came home and announced his promotion offer. It meant a big raise, and opportunity for future growth, but it also meant that he no longer got to do the hands-on work that he loves. He took the job. He also learned a lot of fields of chemistry. He loved organic, started in it, but also learned in-organic, plastics and even some pharmaceutical, all thru having to manage those departments.
I think I probably could have gone into the sciences, but I hated book learning. I hated all the math and science classes after 11th grade. Although I know that he respects the fact that, contrary to his first inclinations, I AM able to earn a living in theatre, and keep a wife. Not lavishly, but not on welfare. I just wish he could see more of my shows. He's down in Florida now. Doing the typical retirement thing. Condo with gators in the back yard. Small dogs kept on a short leash because of the aformentioned yard ornaments. Voting Republican because of moral values, hating Clinton for the same reason. Doing physical therapy workouts two or three times a week because of his heart bypasses and replaced knees and hips. Looking more and more like his dad. Me? I get to look more and more like my Brother. Swell.
posted by Intothelight4now at 10:04 AM
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