Escapee: Memories Of Dad

Escapee: I understand him a more and more as time goes on, as I go through some of the emotions he went through. I was in awe of him. I knew I could never be as good as he was. He was the kind of person who could do anything, and I mean, anything. He was dashing in a Clark Gable sort of way. Later on, I saw an interview with Jackie Gleason; by that time, Gleason was old, gray and very cynical, that that, too, reminded me of Dad. Dad worked hard, very very hard. My Dad was the classic definition of ‘old school’, ‘by the book’, and when he meant something, he Really Meant something. And more than anything, I hope he’s at peace now, because I don’t think he ever was when he was alive. Full post below .

Question: What is/was your father like?

Although my Dad was a very difficult creature, I remember moments like that, where Dad held my hand, encouraged me to take a chance and everything would be all right. Somewhere along the way, Dad and I grew extremely far apart to the point where we couldn’t tolerate each other. He once said I was against everything he stood for…I replied that I wasn’t resisting him, I was only trying to find myself. But…as negative as I feel about Dad…he was a good man. Flawed, but good nonetheless. His birthday just passed (April 4), and he will have been gone 8 years this coming May 17th. I think I understand him a more and more as time goes on, as I go through some of the emotions he went through. I was in awe of him. I knew I could never be as good as he was. He was the kind of person who could do anything, and I mean, anything. He was dashing in a Clark Gable sort of way. Later on, I saw an interview with Jackie Gleason; by that time, Gleason was old, gray and very cynical, that that, too, reminded me of Dad. Dad worked hard, very very hard. My Dad was the classic definition of ‘old school’, ‘by the book’, and when he meant something, he Really Meant something. And more than anything, I hope he’s at peace now, because I don’t think he ever was when he was alive.