Dear Dad,
I am truly blessed to still have you in my life, especially when others have lost their fathers too soon in their lives. At age 81 (almost 82) what can I possibly give you for Father's Day that you haven't already received? You've had your share of neckties, pipes, tobacco, peanuts, candy, and all those other things that you no longer need. So here is my gift to you, Dad. Something that money can't buy, but made with absolute and unconditional love.
This song is not mine, but rather my sister, Matty's, song to you. But I can't help but think of you whenever I hear it and I dedicate it to you, not only from me but also from all of us, your children, because you really are our "Papa" in every sense of the word.
(l-r) Roland, Roger, Louis, George (my Dad), Gerry, and Andre Gill
BEFORE I WAS BORN
I always love to hear the stories you have to tell about those years before I was born--stories about how you grew up on the West Side of Manchester with all your brothers and sister. I could listen to you for hours as you talk about the mischief you got into, the funny things you did to each other, and most of all the love you all had for each other. I also remember you telling me about that day, December 7, 1941; and how you had come home from Church to find out that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. How proud I am to have found out that you and your four brothers went straight to the Naval recruiter and joined the Navy that same afternoon! And you were only 19 years old, Dad -- younger than my own children! You and your brothers all put your life on the line for our freedom, and I remember you telling me that some of you were on the same ship together. I know this from the one and only time you talked to me about your experiences in the war, and I'll never forget that day -- how you would pause at times, lost in thought, as if you were right there again and reliving those moments. Then you would shake your head and continue on. I know that there were some close calls during that time and there was a strong possibility that you would have not made it out alive, but God smiled on you -- and me too. And I thank Him that you all came home safely. I am so proud when I tell people that my Dad is a WWII veteran!
My Dad and I - May 1961
I REMEMBER
The one thing I remember the most about you is your great sense of humor. You were always smiling, laughing, singing, and joking. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and hearing you laugh or sing in your sleep. It always made me smile because I knew that even in your sleep you were happy. And oh! -- how you loved to tease, especially your children, and I can't help but laugh now as I remember these things.
Yes, Dad, I remember sitting on your lap on Saturday nights to watch "Sing Along With Mitch Miller", and I would be so engrossed in the singing and dancing that you would take my arms and swing them as if I were conducting the orchestra. And you would laugh because I wouldn't notice that you were doing that, and then you would laugh even harder when I DID notice and indignantly stop you. I do remember one time while sitting on your lap, and that memory is of my looking down on my hand which was resting on top of your hand. And I remember studying the size of our hands and the awe I felt when I noticed that my entire hand fit on the back of your palm. That's how small I was and how far back that memory goes. It is something I will never forget -- how small I was and how big you were. Big and gentle and loving.
And I will always remember:
Sitting in Church at the High Mass while you sang in the mens' choir, and I could always pick out your voice when you all sang.
During the summer, when we were home from school, we knew we couldn't swim in the pool without adult supervision. And no matter how tired you were when you got home from work in the afternoon, you always sat by the pool and watched us and the other dozen neighborhood kids while we swam.
I also remember the time you chose to join us in the pool -- jumping in fully dressed, eye glasses and all! Oh, how we laughed!
And then there was your favorite trick that you played on us. The car would be parked in front of the house and you'd be heading toward the car with your keys in your hand. And as we always did, we and the neighborhood kids begged to go along with you for the ride. Always smiling, you would say "sure!", and let us all pile in the car. Then you'd tell us all to lock the doors and as we all sat in gleeful anticipation as to where we were going, you'd back the car into the driveway, stop, and turn off the ignition. You'd been planning to wash the car all along!!
Yes, I smile at these memories and I realize that you have given me the gift of your wit; for when I tease my own children much in the same way as you, I am reminded of you. And to my amazement, I've found that when I tease my children as you teased us, there is great love behind that teasing. And I understand now, how much you loved us.
NOW
Time has changed many things, but there are things that will never change because of you. You took one look at my newborn baby, Katie, and smiled and called her "Papoone". And though she is now almost 21 years old, I still call her Papoone and that will never change.
You have given me the gift of music, the love of music and the talent to be able to play the piano. There was always music in the house while I was growing up, and there always will be music for the rest of my life. And I have you to thank for that.
So you see, Dad, your legacy lives on -- in me, in your children, and in your grandchildren. These memories I've written of have already been shared with my children, and I will continue to share them - over and over and over again! And like me, they smile when we talk about you.
And here I end my letter to you. I want to wish you a very Happy Father's Day, Dad. And I wonder now if this is your gift or mine? Because as I've worked on this letter, I realize how much I love you and how blessed I have been to have been given such a wonderful father. And I know without a doubt that if I were able to go back and actually choose who my father would be, I would choose you and you alone.
All My Love,
Your Daughter,
CTherese
