Happy Father’s Day from Generations United

Generations United wanted to take a moment to say thanks to all of the wonderful dads, husbands, and father figures in our lives. Here are some memories from our staff with their fathers on Father’s Day.

 

I can’t remember whether we gave my dad his first pair of deerskin slippers for Father’s Day or his birthday, but I do know he loved those slippers. They were incredibly soft, at least for the first few years he wore them. Eventually, they became stiff and discolored. To our chagrin, he wore them everywhere—even on a trip to Disneyworld in 1972 with my younger brothers and sister. (See photo.)

I also remember the last pair we gave him. We’d bought them early for Christmas, but he died in late November, just four weeks before we could give them to him. He did get to wear them though: we buried him in his favorite suit and brand new slippers.

We still love you, Dad.

-Colleen Appleby-Carroll

 

My dad has always been more of a gift giver than receiver. While this is beneficial for me as a strapped for cash college student, finding a gift for him on Father’s Day can be quite a challenge. One year, instead of buying him a coffee mug or tie, my family simply took a walk through our neighborhood together. He later said this time had made that Father’s Day the most memorable because he was able to spend time in the place he loved the most with the people he loved the best. Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads like mine who cherish and care for both their family and community!

-Annie Cleary

 

Growing up in the small paper town of Green Bay, WI, Father’s Day has always been more or less another excuse for the guys to get together and talk about football. Traditionally June is the time the Green Bay Packers begin their training, and what better way to celebrate Father’s Day then to watch our beloved team in the early stages of their season. As a child I remember going with my father and grandfather to the field to watch the men in pads practice, ever hopeful that “this will be our season.” It’s always been an incredible moment of bonding for me, my father and grandfather (and his father and grandfather some time ago before that), a tradition I hope to carry on to my children someday.

-Adam Hlava

 

Although our family does not hold any sacred Father’s Day traditions, I am reminded of my favorite things about my Dad as the holiday approaches. This includes his discerning taste for potatoes informed by 30+ years farming, his fancy and not-at-all-dated dance moves, and his tight grip on my arm as he walked me down the aisle six months ago. It won’t be easy to find the right gift for such an amazing Dad.

-Erica Jorde

 

 

For many, golf is not a relaxing sport; but for my father it’s one of his favorite past times. Since I was little, he and I would go out on the golf course and practice our swings, collect lost balls from the out of bounds (often coming out covered in poison oak), have chipping contests, and finish the round in good spirits (mostly).  As I got older, I’d buy my dad some golf paraphernalia for Father’s Day and use it as an excuse to go out on the golf course with him to test it out. I’ve followed suite once again this year and look forward to the next time I’m in Iowa and can play a round with Dad. Happy Father’s Day!

-Melissa Ness

A Good Man

A little over a year ago, Generations United devoted a blog post to Sargent Shriver, a great service advocate and leader, who passed away in January 2011. Yesterday, Shriver’s fourth son Mark Shriver released a book dedicated to his father entitled A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver. The title could not be more befitting for a man who sought goodness in all aspects of his life.

Sargent Shriver made an impressive impact in both his community and his country. In addition to creating the Peace Corps with his brother-in-law John F. Kennedy, he began programs like Head Start, Job Corps, and Foster Grandparents. However, Mark Shriver writes that “most importantly, was his role as a father and grandfather.”

A Good Man acts as more than a remembrance of the great public works of Sargent Shriver, but rather a love letter to a father. The book’s introduction recounts Mark and his dad on an early morning hunting trip. While the younger Shriver agonized over the fact they were running late, his father noticed only how beautiful the sunrise was. Sargent Shriver regarded all life this way.

Sargent Shriver’s Alzheimer’s advanced in his later years, but he maintained devotion to his family. On the Today Show, Mark Shriver described one of his daughter’s lacrosse practices that he attended with his aging father. At one point, Mark yelled at his daughter. His father, whom Mark thought no longer recognized him, turned and said, “Did I yell at you like that?” This led Mark to discover that “I needed to give my daughter the unconditional love and support my dad gave me.” 

As father’s day approaches, it is important that we appreciate our role models who have acted as father figures in our lives, whether they are a dad, grandpa, uncle, or neighbor. As Mark’s father was and continues to be his inspiration, so are these men an example to us. Sargent Shriver’s legacy of serving all generations should act as a guide to work to improve the lives of all people.

Photos courtesy http://www.sargentshriver.org/

-Written by Annie Cleary