Dad

Dad was an ordinary guy – growing up in extraordinary and difficult times. He became an extraordinary man in somewhat ordinary times

He stood five foot eight at his peak and what he lost in height he gained in stature. He never asked for much – if anything.

His last two months were in and out of various care facilities and I cannot remember him ever getting upset and rarely asking for anything.

He didn’t want to bother anyone, a fact not lost on his caretakers.

The outpouring of people caring for Dad was clear at his funeral. The large crowd on a Wednesday morning was remarkable considering:

He moved here at age 83,  having lost his wife of 56 years.

His wife – my Mom - had pretty much run the show.

We were all not sure he could function on his own.

He became a vibrant member of the synagogue and community, even traveling statewide as the oldest member of a commission appointed by the governor.

It is never too late to reinvent yourself.  Once I stayed home due to ice and snow and found out Dad took the bus downtown to take care of some business.

The most important things to him were:  Family, Faith, and Phillies…. in that order. It has taken getting used to him not here this last year.

When I’m near the Willows or drive by his care centers I often feel sad. I still find myself starting to make mental notes to tell Dad some Philadelphia sports or trivia fact that I hear.  Or – to ask Dad about some historical, family, or sports question.

 Many people have told me how much they miss him or have stories about things that he said or did.

I walked to the top of a hill near my house on the day that Dad died. Yesterday I did the same walk and reflected. I’ve gotten used to the idea that he has moved on. What he left me was an attitude and way of being.

His message, was that you’re probably not going to change the world but what you do have control over is your attitude.

His classic Dad “What are ya goin’ to do?” statement reflected who he was.

He’d been through a lot and had learned to be a Zen master without knowing what Zen was.

Try your best, be your best, ALWAYS have a positive attitude and be cheerful, don’t ask much for yourself, don’t trouble others, be appreciative, keep learning, be excited about life, and root for the Phillies…..that’s Dad