Tribute To My Dad - WZV2919

Tribute To My Dad
WZV2919

“Whiskey Zulu Victor 2919, this is the Amber J, come in please!”
Those are words that you and I will never forget. Many of our most memorable moments together were spent on Lake Ontario in our family boat encountering challenges beyond most human capabilities, but also enjoying some of the most beautiful, peaceful moments one could ever imagine amidst the water, wind, and sunsets.

Memories are important and too often we let our lives go by and we fail to let the ones who are most important to us know just how loved and special they are. There are so many reasons that I am thankful for you being my one and only Dad.

I never worried that we would go without. You were a hard worker, whether as a farm manager, a Xerox employee or as an auxiliary Coastguard volunteer – you never quit. You provided for your family in extravagant ways without being pretentious. Although I never accepted your offer to pay my way to college, just knowing that you were willing was enough for me.

You instilled confidence in me to believe that I could accomplish whatever I put my heart into because you believed in me. Seating me at the helm of a yacht and guiding me through the maneuvers necessary to fit through tight spaces and ride through a “big roller” is not an opportunity given to most young, scrawny girls.

I am thankful for my childhood and living down the road from my grandparents – eating Grandma’s warm homemade bread and cookies. Celebrating family reunions, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, weddings, and even funerals taught me the importance of family.

Your story-telling, singing and acting, hosting euchre parties, etc. exposed me to the importance of friends and relationships. Your ability to start a conversation, even with a perfect stranger, is a gift that has made many people feel like they truly matter.

Although, it may not have been your favorite job, I am extremely thankful for the years we lived on Wile Adler Fruit Farm on Lake Road. Other than my dolls, of course, my favorite “toys” were not what most kids today consider “cool”. My playground was an apple orchard (best climbing trees around) and Beneway’s Woods (for great adventures and also the best carving trees). My wagon was a trailer filled with crates of sweet-smelling apples and me plunked right in the middle of them for ‘safe-keeping’. What more could a kid ask for?

Even the times that were less enjoyable – mowing our back lawn (swamp) with you pushing behind me so that I wouldn’t get stuck; testing me on the “word definitions” in the Reader’s Digest; sanding, painting and swabbing the decks of each Amber J – all taught me perseverance, to always keep learning and to be a good steward of your possessions.

I’m proud to have a dad that served in the Marines as a Master Sargent. I learned to obey without question (as a Franciscan today, that comes in handy). I could trust you to get us safely through any storm at sea, because your presence assured me that you had everything under control. There were also times when boating on Lake Ontario that our very lives were imperiled. I remember bracing myself on the back aft of the Richardson, wrapped in a life-jacket watching waves that were much bigger and stronger than any of us, even you. That’s when I learned to really pray.

All those trips to get us to Sunday School paid off! You gave me the foundation to believe not only in the provision and protection of my earthly father, but also to trust and believe in my heavenly Father.

Thank you, dad, for all the good you’ve done for me. Your life and values have influenced me and are a treasure that will be passed down to my children and grandchildren.

Thank you for the dancing lessons, the clarinet and piano, and, of course, the skiis – and most especially for those adventures out at sea that neither of us will ever forget! WZV2919 – Out!

Written for dad's 86th birthday.