Americo, Americo!
June 20, 2021
Americo, just like America except with an “o” at the end, is my dad’s name, and it is as unique as he is!
My first real memory of my dad was when I was two years old and my Mom, my brothers and I returned, by train, 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. He had the unique ability to figure out the timing of our stopping and his kiss throwing!
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 an older adult. He had the unique gift of patience in those teaching sessions!
My dad taught me not to worry about things that worrying couldn’t fix, like end of the world predictions that scared my 7 year old heart. When I ran crying to him, 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. He had the unique ability to be calm and sensible in the midst of my world ending crisis!
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 has the unique ability to remind me when “it’s raining!”
When my brothers and I lied, my dad taught us the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” so that we would grow to be people of integrity and people who others would take seriously. My dad had the unique ability to take a child’s story and make it meaningful for our character development!
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 has the unique ability to be funny even when he’s doing serious work.
My dad served in local charities and even advised special needs teenagers to do community service such as sponsoring Bingo Night at a nursing home. My dad had the unique ability to be generous with his time and leadership skills.
Americo, Americo! Unique in his timing, patience, sensibility, advice, character development, matters of levity and gravity, and leadership!
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.”
Proverbs 1:8-9