• Home
  • BOOK SHOP
    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
  • BLOGS
    • mar's Desk
    • Inspiration Station
    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
  • Contact Me
  marcoujor's musings

Inspiration Station


This blog publishes the third Sunday of each month. I look forward to your visits and appreciate your feedback.

Please enjoy your stay...

Gift Shop

marcoujor: Remembering Dad

6/19/2016

18 Comments

 
Picture
Dad worked as far back as I can remember as an engineer for Reading Railroad. While Mom ran a firm but loving household, Dad was a solid bread winner and a decent man in the grand scheme of things. Family and spirituality were equally important to Dad.

He believed in respect, loyalty and honor in the family. I admit he was old fashioned in his views of women, which may be understandable considering his generation and our strong Italian-American heritage on my paternal side.

I instantly smile now when an Italian meal is served without bread. I can remember the 'stink' (a Miss Sammie word...) my daddy raised when we were invited to my brother Johnny's home and bread was not on the table. Suffice to say, there was always bread on the table after that incident.

PictureDad and I
I seemed to have Dad figured out early on. I clearly had an advantage, as I saw my siblings get a verbal smack down when not in immediate compliance with his request. It was always the same, "Show your father some respect."

I have always respected my elders, whether family, colleagues or patients. I believe this is due to my dad's expectations. I believe they were worthy expectations in the grand scheme of things.

I got my dad talking and smiling every once in awhile. He was generally so serious. As I look back, I am convinced my dad carried enormous worries of keeping our family happy, healthy and never in want for anything of true necessity.

Dad died in December, 1995, of complications from a stroke. For years I've held onto thoughts, acknowledgements and gratitude that was long left unsaid.

This month, at my Gestalt workshop in Cape May, I spent some time handling unfinished business  with my dad, under the insightful and kind guidance of Mariah Fenton Gladis. I was able to tell a man (who reminded me of Dad in ways) how grateful I am (now) for his gifts of stubbornness, perfection and, even, his anger - which have served me well. 

This song by Frank Sinatra (loved by Dad and me) hit the airways in 1961, the year I was born, Come Rain or Come Shine. 

The next question from my interview series seemed most applicable to today's theme of fathers. Take a look for yourself at some of the responses I received.

What important traits does a father have?

  • Care for the entire family's well-being (usually in terms of provision)
  • Patience, love, understanding, strength
  • The ability to love and to show that love; understanding; respect; listening; guidance; encouragement of who his children are and helping them to realize their dreams.
  • Love, compassion, able to set limits firmly yet fairly, understanding, a teacher, a nurse, an open heart, nonjudgmental, a leader, some one who can compromise, able to instill ethics and values, able to juggle chores, work and family time; put children first but able to take time for themselves; able to find humor in many places and laugh at yourself.
  • Dad's traits are unending.  He's magical because whatever breaks, Dad fixes it.  He's energetic & works to make sure his children are well cared for.  Dad "teaches" his kids how to be self-sufficient.  He cares about the health & safety of his kids~ he's protective.  Dad has to be strict and makes sure his children know what's right or wrong, good or bad...he shows his kids what responsibility is. And through all it takes to be a Dad, he does all with Love.
  • Caring, protectiveness, supportiveness, willingness to hug, love, compassion, humor, flexibility, organization.
  • A firm dedication to Jesus Christ and a loving,  charitable spirit.
  • Loving, kind, caring, attentive, fair, consistent.
  • Love and strength.
  • He loves you more than life itself and treasures and nurtures your happiness and well being.
  • Ability to provide.
  • Love, caring, provider.
  • I believe a father should have the same traits as a mother. After all, parents are supposed to be one entity, supporting and assisting each other while sharing all the responsibilities of parenthood. Please note, I have said ‘supposed’. In reality less than 50% of all parents have the required traits. If I could have it my way, parenthood would not have been a ‘human right’, but a qualification acquired via relevant courses and psychological tests.
  • Loving kindness, humor and good work ethic.

What wonderful responses!

Thanks to all who sent your feedback and hoping others will add their thoughts in the comments section.


​Until next month, wishing you peace and inspiration and Happy Father's Day to all the men in your world.

Hugs, mar
18 Comments

    RSS Feed

    For a free subscription, enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    marcoujor

    Something awaits us all.

    Know your possibilities.

    There is inspiration all around us--in those people and situations we encounter along life's way.

    Share your wonder with me as well.

    I treasure your comments.

    mar


    Archives

    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Popular Posts

    Catching Up With femmeflashpoint

    Interview with Kim Thompson

    Gail Sobotkin: Walking a Sand Labyrinth

    "Tell Skinny I Said Hi."

    Introducing Shadows by Bill Holland

    A Few Of My Favorite Things

    Sannel Larson: The Total Picture

    Meet Wanda Keay: Passionate About Wildlife Photography

    Meet Michael Friedman: The Man Behind the Talent

    Fine Art America

    Meet Shauna Bowling: The Inside Story

    By The Grace of God "Still Alice"

    HOME
    GIFT SHOP
    AD SERVICES & SPONSORS
    BLOGS
    CONTACT ME
    I Recommend...
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • BOOK SHOP
    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
  • BLOGS
    • mar's Desk
    • Inspiration Station
    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
  • Contact Me