REMEMBERING ONE FATHER
By
Gerry Niskern
When I was ten years old I saw a boy walking past our new Arizona home. He was whistling a catchy tune. He had black wavy hair and wore a funny hat covered with button pins, Years later that young man became the father of my children.
I asked my husband what he had taught his kids. “Nothing, that I can think of,” he replied.
Monday’s Child, started out by taking anything apart that had nuts and bolts and threads. Sooner or later his dad had to teach him how to put things back together. “Right-tighty” and “Lefty-Lucy” was the motto. They shared the love of building and mechanics. Dad taught him to start a nail straight. “He also taught me at Bob’s Big Boy that Thousand Island dressing goes great on hamburgers”
Thursday’s Child remembers dad teaching her how to ride her first bike. She got the blue Schwin for Christmas when she was six. He ran along beside it , ready to grab because her feet couldn’t touch the ground.
“Dad taught me how to play jacks. He was really good at it. And best of all, he took us shopping at Christmas time for mom’s gift. One present in particular was a matching silk turquoise gown and robe with gold embroidered trim. Great shopping impressed me!”
Tuesday’s Child says “Dad taught us how to play poker. He also gave me a respect for the beauty of nature even though I used to hate it when dad tied up the TV with nature shows. He also taught me how to walk through life without prejudice and a natural sense of equality between the sexes.”
They all remember the whole family playing hide and seek in the house and dad putting them up in the linen closet where mom didn’t look. In those days they got piggyback rides to bed. If they talked him into playing his accordion, bedtime was later.
I’m guessing that the things most people remember their dad teaching them are similar. Not how to make a million dollars or discover a cure for a disease, just the everyday little things that kids need to know.
It turns out that that kid with the funny hat covered with pins was pretty knowledgeable about a lot of subjects. Who knew?
REMEMBERING ONE FATHER
By
Gerry Niskern
When I was ten years old I saw a boy walking past our new Arizona home. He was whistling a catchy tune. He had black wavy hair and wore a funny hat covered with button pins, Years later that young man became the father of my children.
I asked my husband what he had taught his kids. “Nothing, that I can think of,” he replied.
Monday’s Child, started out by taking anything apart that had nuts and bolts and threads. Sooner or later his dad had to teach him how to put things back together. “Right-tighty” and “Lefty-Lucy” was the motto. They shared the love of building and mechanics. Dad taught him to start a nail straight. “He also taught me at Bob’s Big Boy that Thousand Island dressing goes great on hamburgers”
Thursday’s Child remembers dad teaching her how to ride her first bike. She got the blue Schwin for Christmas when she was six. He ran along beside it , ready to grab because her feet couldn’t touch the ground.
“Dad taught me how to play jacks. He was really good at it. And best of all, he took us shopping at Christmas time for mom’s gift. One present in particular was a matching silk turquoise gown and robe with gold embroidered trim. Great shopping impressed me!”
Tuesday’s Child says “Dad taught us how to play poker. He also gave me a respect for the beauty of nature even though I used to hate it when dad tied up the TV with nature shows. He also taught me how to walk through life without prejudice and a natural sense of equality between the sexes.”
They all remember the whole family playing hide and seek in the house and dad putting them up in the linen closet where mom didn’t look. In those days they got piggyback rides to bed. If they talked him into playing his accordion, bedtime was later.
I’m guessing that the things most people remember their dad teaching them are similar. Not how to make a million dollars or discover a cure for a disease, just the everyday little things that kids need to know.
It turns out that that kid with the funny hat covered with pins was pretty knowledgeable about a lot of subjects. Who knew?
I had a great Dad, He took me to the Library every week. I remember as a child that my Dad always borrowed a stack of books, science fiction is what he liked. I was so impressed, and just when I thought he had read all the books in the library. He taught me the love of reading, which I appreciated more now as an adult. Of course I always got a stack of books as well. I think about him every night and miss him very much.
Gerry that was a wonderful read. I had an amazing dad. He taught me so many things I can’t begin to describe them. The most important things were to be a good and decent person, a caring and loving person. That was a gift I can’t begin to thank him enough for. It’s carried me through the good and bad. It was great to hear about What Kenneth taught your kids. Hugs!! Ken