"The needle's eye it does supply the thread that runs so true." It's Father's Day. I'd like to tell you two short stories about things I've learned from my Dad.
Until he retired my Dad was an insurance adjuster he'd quickly risen through State Farm after WW II and by 1958 he'd been lured away to a private adjustment company. Things were great for 2 and a half years, but the company went under. Things got tight around home. In the summer of ‘62 one evening Mom called us back to the table just before bed time. With tears in his eyes Dad explained we'd have to sell the six horses in our barn to make ends meet. I died inside, Jack and Shirlie didn't mind, but my little Arab mare was my entire life. At that point Mom ask Dad for a cigarette, they were both out. Dad went to the cupboard and got a new carton. With tears in his eyes he keep staring at the price sticker, he looked at Mom, he looked at us! He said I will, Mom nodded! Dad said don't worry about it, we just found the money. Five days latter when that carton was gone they quit smoking. Dad quit smoking so I could keep my horse! A month latter a new job as a senior agent with big company and our troubles were over! They never went back on cigarettes. My Dad gave up one of life's toughest addiction for his kids. I learned a lot that evening!
Late fall 1965. Our high school thespian group was producing a play called, I think, "The needle's eye it does supply" several of us were friends with a late night disk jockey at the local radio station. Well a week before the opening night my best friend Bing and I loaded up the entire cast all 18 of us high School Juniors and Seniors in my family's station wagon and went to the radio station from 11PM and 2AM we put on the entire play between commercials and the news. (Kalamazoo had very little rock and roll that night.) Leaving the station I backed over a rock, when I pulled forward it punctured the gas tank. Five miles latter we ran out of gas! 15 miles from my home and up to 25 from some. I called Dad. He didn't give me time to say who was with us, Dad arrived a half hour latter. It took 3 long trips to get every one home. He got a list from one of the kids and stopped an woke my Mother who called all the parents. Dad got back to Bing and I and towed us home, all he said was to Bing spend the night you two have a car to fix in the morning and he went to bed.
Well I've been waiting 45 years for the other shoe to drop! We finally talked about it in April of this year. Dad had never said a word, I ask "why?" Dad said that was a long night, you guys did nothing wrong and you got up at the crack of noon and fixed the car.
That's my Dad! I could always depend on him, and every one still does!
It's funny the things we remember, including the chorus of the opening number.
"The needle's eye it does supply the thread that runs so true. Many a bow have I let go because I wanted you!"
Dad and I, Dad's Dad, Dad's Dad's Dad, 1948.
Happy Father's day Dad!
I love you!
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