Growing up, I was the first born son in the family. My Mom was the dominating force in the family, always stressing education, getting ahead, becoming something more. We were very poor, though seldom without food, and my Dad was more of a shadowy figure to me. [ My sister, brother & I eventually earned 7 college degrees between us! ]
As first-born son, and favored by my Mom because of how well I did in school, a not always unspoken rivalry was set up between my Dad and I. We did little together; he seldom attended my sports games, except all-star games or basketball playoff games. Of course, I seldom asked him!
He and my younger brother were very close. My Dad not only attended his games, he became a coach in all the leagues my brother played in, moving up with him as my brother grew older.
A funny thing happened, however, as I grew older and had my own son. Family would say to me, over and over, " You`re just like your Father! " And they were right! My personality is much more like his than Mom`s, my expressions and oddities are his.
As I grew into my thirties, my Dad and I became quite close. My Mom used to kid him because, most nights, he would say to her, " Well,I think I`ll give Vinnie a call." We had a chance to talk about the rivalry when I was growing up, and we spoke about fears and things, in addition to sports.
I think we were both so lucky to have met each other, before he died.
HAPPY FATHER`S DAY, DAD.
Happy Father`s Day to all the Dads in J-Land, present or in spirit.
Vinnie
http://journals.aol.com/deabvt/JAMESANDTHEANIMALS/entries/834 James xxxiv, 34, is posted.
33 comments:
I love the last line the best. {{{{Vince}}}} Happy Father's Day. **Barb**
I love your entry about you and your father! Thank you for sharing a piece of that. Happy Father's Day to you!!
Hugs,
Michelle
Vince-This is a beautiful dad-son entry-
How great you found a close relationship with him!
Wow-seven degrees among three children is very impressive!!
Thanks for sharing-Happy Father's Day to you! _Rose
Happy Fathers Day to you! ~lila~
Vinnie...this is sweet. I'm sure your dad knows how much you appreciated him and the bridge to the gap that was made. :)
Oh, V...What an awesome entry! Thank you for sharing a piece of your soul! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, V! From my heart to your with love and appreciation...gloria
{{{{{Vince}}}}} I enjoyed this entry...and especially the happy ending!
Vivian
Thanks for sharing!
Happy Father's Day to you!
Angela
Thanks for sharing with us. I'm so glad you two were able to become close to each other. Memories are priceless.Sandy
This entry is awesome. I just got off the phone with my Dad, who's 70 and after reading your entry, I am doubly glad I called him!
I'm so glad that you all finally connected.
I'm really glad that you and your dad were able to get to know each other. Thanks for sharing!!! I'd like to hear more about you. ~Holly
nice tribute vince - i am glad you had a happy ending too -
and yes - we want to hear more about you!
happy father's day to you too..
I'm glad that you got together with your father and came to an understanding. It must have been difficult as a child to feel and know that you were on the outside. I'm sure your father was very proud of you.
Hi vince, very emotional tribute Dad, it made my eyes watery in reading your comments and missing out on having a dead beat dad. You got to enjoy your dad and I'm sure you are a great father to your child(ren). Thanks for sharing that and thanks for stopping by my journal. Take care.. Jessie
This was so moving....I love it when men show their feelings. It's usually so surprising; like rain in the middle of a sunny day. The prism is astounding!!
Thanks.
Ah Vince.....I'm glad you two finally got to know one another. That's very sad....that he wasn't there for you...but maybe he tried to make up for the mistakes he made with you with your brother? I don't know. Just that parenting is rough stuff as I'm sure you have learned. Even It's doesn't matter now....all that matters is he helped to bring a wonderful man into this world and I am pleased to know you! Hope you had a wonderful Fathers day!
Nicely said Vinnie. Hugs Lanny
I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day! Thank you so much for the kind words you leave in my journal. I appreciate friends like you so very much. :)
I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day! Thank you so much for the kind words you leave in my journal. I appreciate friends like you so very much. :)
Vince, Flora (flimflammery supreme), claims you visit and comment on every journal every single day. Is this so? You are too much. I wanted to come over here and give you a round of applause (CLAP CLAP CLAP - really loud). AMAZING!
karen, flora`s just playin` !
V
This is a very sweet entry, Vince, even though I don't think you meant it to be that way. I'm so glad you and your father found your way back to each other later in life.
Yeah right Vince! We've seen you and your magical calling card warm hearts clear from one end to another of our little J-land! Any closer to Boston and we would see the chapel lights and hear the sound of, "Vinnie's comin, Vinnie's comin!" 'Cept the people would gather in the street with their best muffins and pies! Shoot, Vince ... you have made yourself into a wonderful integral part of the community. Just think your tops! (We're thinking all the more for you finding a way in to "your 'ol man's awareness :)
Shame on mumsy's hide for not seeing this sooner. What a wonderful, wonderfully heartfelt essay.
I similarly got to know my dad better as I chose a husband of my own. But what really helped me and him and my mom become better connected was tyin' one on with them while hubbyJoe managed dinner. My poor tee-totalling sister never got that opportunity! ... and I had always been the favorite, though never deserved.
Vince, my apologies for not seeing this entry on Father's day. You are so blessed with your getting to know your dad and establishing a relationship with him before he died. I am blessed with my 82 year old daddy, our relationship is good most times, although we often try each others patience. I spent my Father's Day Sunday with my daddy (and the rest of the family), reminding him of all the goodness and blessings that abound in our lives. (He tends to see the glass half empty with water spots on the glass, and I see it almost full with wonderful patterns to entertain me while I drink.)
in quiet shadows,
he watched, waited for the child...
his own reflection.
Blessings, Auntie Lyn/Lynda
What a touching entry...
-Connie
so sweet!
Wow Vince! That's wonderful that you and your dad finally bonded after all those years. Maybe one day my dad and I will reach that level. LOL! I doubt it though. I think the man is terrified I'm just biding my time for when he's old enough that I can smother him with a pillow (not that I haven't entertained the idea lol). Anyway, so sorry I missed wishing you well on Father's Day. And rgeat entry!
Well written, Vinnie! I had to hunt you down after you left a comment in my journal, without a link to yours, but it was well worth it! Shana
Great entry...I'm so glad you and your Father had a chance to bond! what a nice entry
Heather~
I am very sorry your daddy is gone. How old was he? I am very close to my mother. I am not that close to my father but we get along pretty good. I know they won't be around forever so I try to enjoy them.
Anita
I can't believe I missed this entry. It's so beautiful and heartwarming.
:-) ---Robbie
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