Groundhog’s Day Wild Card — 2.2.11

Groundhog’s Day is special in my family because my father, Franklin Simas Oliveria, was born on this date — in 1921. He would be 90 years old today, if he hadn’t been killed in a vehicle accident in 1976 at age 55. I still miss him. I still regret that my children never met him. But I’m forever grateful that a good man like him who passed on a strong work ethic, family values, and love, by example, was my father. I use my initials in my byline in part to honor him. The F stands for Franklin. My dad didn’t finish the 8th grade. But his 10 grandkids have earned medical, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. What more can you want in life than to see future generations prosper? Now, for your wild card …