“Wow! 97 is a big number!”
May 24, 2022
My Dad’s name is Americo Vincenzo Vasso, and today is his 97th birthday! His mother called him Americo, his employees called him Vince, and most friends and relatives call him Mertz (a childhood nickname), but he’s Dad to me. He has many names, but he has many more years of life—97 as of today!
When I wished him a happy birthday today, he said, “Wow! That’s a big number!” Yes, it is a big number for quite a big man, not so much in stature, but in character. I can speak to his character since I have known him all of my life and have become somewhat of an expert on him. Here are a few things he taught my brothers and me, by example and direct instruction:
He taught us to honor our mother because as the oldest son of Italian immigrants, he honored his mother. If he earned an extra quarter along the way, he gave it to his mother. When he was in the Army Air Corp in WWII, he wrote letters faithfully to her to put her heart at ease. And in the last moments of her life, when that heart gave out, he was with her as a devoted son.
He taught us a good work ethic by the way he never missed work, and by telling us to punch in at 7:20 when the work day began at 7:30, and to clock out at 5:10 when the work day ended at 5:00. And he taught us to accept overtime work while we were still young and energetic.
He encouraged us to value that education didn’t end until we at least graduated from college. And he paid for that education so we did not have to be concerned about the cost of it. He reminds us to learn something new every day, to make a difference, and to stand up for just causes and for people we love.
He taught me many things on a personal level:
When I was 5, he taught me how to ride a two wheeler, and when I was 9 he bought me my first bike with streamers hanging from the handle bars. When I was 7 he taught me not to be afraid when I overheard on the news that, “The world will end tomorrow.” When I was 15 he bought me an electric typewriter so I could spend the summer of my 15th year of life taking typing classes so I could be employable one day by him as his secretary. When I was 16 he taught me how to drive a stick shift because you never know when that will come in handy.
He encouraged me to keep my head down when swinging my golf club and to look squarely into the face of my fears, and to get back in the saddle after totaling my first car. He encouraged me to sit down in a rocky boat headed to Santorini even though I was afraid and thought it would be the death of us. What a great opportunity I would have missed! He knows I tend to worry so he constantly reminds me not to worry because my worry can’t do anything about what worries me.
Happy birthday, Dad! Yes, 97 is a big number, and I could list 97 more big things about you! Thank you for being bigger than 97 and for being a big part of so many lives, especially mine! And as you always say, “May you live to be 100 (can we extend that to 105?) and the last voice you hear be mine!” I love you very much!
Your favorite and only daughter,
Sheryl
2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” – Ephesians 6:2-3