Happy 95th Birthday, Dad!
May 24, 2020
Five years ago today, on Sunday, May 24, 2015, my Dad celebrated his 90th birthday! Now today, Sunday, May 24, 2020, my Dad is celebrating his 95th birthday. I have never personally known a 95 year-old, or been related to one! Today I can say I both know and am related to one!
I met him when he was just 31 years old and he punched the doctor who delivered me because he was so happy to have a daughter. But my first real memory of him was when he was 33 years old and I was 2 years old. He was waiting at the train station in Pennsylvania for my Mom, my brothers and me to return from visiting my grandmother in Florida. When the train came to a complete stop, I saw my Dad’s face outside the window I was sitting by, blowing welcome home kisses our way. How did he do that at just the right moment? I thought he was so magical!
My dad taught me how to ride a two wheeler when I was 5, how to drive a Volkswagen stick when I was 16, and how to golf when I was 40! How did he put up with me? I thought he was so patient!
When I was 7 years old, the newspaper headlines predicted the end of the world was coming the next day and I was so frightened I couldn’t sleep. When I came out of my bedroom crying to my dad, he told me not to worry because no one knew when the end of the world would be and that we would all be alive tomorrow. How could he be so calm? I thought he was so courageous!
My dad taught me that money didn’t grow on the pear tree in our back yard and to save my money for a rainy day and to work hard and take overtime opportunities while I was young and had the energy to do so. My dad was quick to remind me in times of recession, and now in times of pandemic, “It’s raining, Sheryl!” How did he know? I thought he was so wise!
When my brothers and I lied, he taught us the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” so that we would grow up to be people of integrity and people who others would take seriously. He taught us that family and friends meant everything, and that nobody in the world was like my Mother. Was he able to say those things because he lived that way? I thought he was so honorable!
My dad served in WWII as a navigator in the Army Air Corps. The war ended the day before he was supposed to take a crew across the Atlantic. He said, “Hitler heard I was coming so he surrendered!” My dad served in local charities and even advised special needs teenagers to do community service like sponsor Bingo Night at a nursing home. How did he know how to do these things? I thought he was so generous with his time and talents!
My Dad. He always introduces me as his favorite daughter. I’m his only daughter so how hard is it for him to say that? I think my Dad has a good sense of humor.
I met my Dad when he was 31 years old and I have no idea how he got to be 95 so quickly! My Dad. Such a wonderful man who has seen and experienced so much history-the great depression, WWII, voting for 15 different presidents, and now the global pandemic!
My Dad. Magical, patient, courageous, wise, honorable, generous, funny, experienced!
On his 90th birthday, we surprised both him and my mom (because Mom can’t keep secrets from my Dad) with a big party, replete with friends and family and Italian catering. We cannot do that kind of event during these days of social distancing, but we have a few things up our sleeves and hope they come off as planned!
Happy birthday, Dad! And as you always say, “May you live to be 100 and the last voice you hear be mine!” Although, I want to raise that to 105. I love you to infinity and beyond!
Your favorite daughter,
Sheryl