Dear Dad

Dear Dad

This is my 11th Fathers Day without you here, but you remain in my heart.

Later today, I will perform GIFT TO MY DAD, a tribute to Dads everywhere, but especially a tribute to you.

There isn't much we didn't say to each other in your 88 years.

The good and the bad.

I know you loved me, but it took me most of my life to realize why you could never express it the way I hoped.

I have come to realize that many Dads of your era had difficulty expressing their emotional love for their children.

I think that is so important.

Every child needs to know they are abundantly loved.

I have always shared with others that I tried to correct all the mistakes of your fatherhood with my own children.

I think I did a pretty good job.

Your grandchildren are two great kids.

Your grandson has kids of his own.

Like you, he is a great man.

Next week, your granddaughter graduates high school at the top of her class.

Her future is unbounded.

She just needs to work on her confidence.

I wish she could have a talk with you about that now.

A great deal of their success is passed down from you.

You were a great Dad.

You were always there for me.

You always listened.

You inspired me to be a better student.

You taught me how to play the game right.

You mentored me to be the best driver on the road.

You motivated me to read and you did it by giving me books that you knew I would fall in love with.

You shared with me your love of words and teaching so that I could pass it on to others and I have done just that.

You taught me to think in the future.

You were a great Dad to both me and my sister.

Whenever I shared with her my disappointments about you, she was there to defend you.

She always had your back and over time, I learned from her.

And you were the Dad who was always working hard for your family, never feeling sorry for yourself and living a life of impeccable character.

You were the most honest and ethical man I have ever met in my life.

And my son and daughter now live in those very same footsteps.

I only wished that you held me closer and said the words I LOVE YOU more often, especially when I was young.

Perhaps, that is why I am so passionate about making up for all that now.

And for that, maybe I should thank you as well.

Thank you for being my Dad.

I love you.

Yankees play Mets later today at the Stadium.

I hope you will be watching.

By the way, they built a new Yankee Stadium last year.

Life goes on.

Without you and Mom.

Tell her I miss you both.

Life is just not the same without you,

You remain in my heart forever,

Love

Your Son