I have a big poster of Roberto Clemente over my bed. Why? Because when I was a kid, my dad, who grew up in Pittsburgh, took me to Pirates games at Forbes Field. A kid couldn't have a better hero than Clemente, who was not only an amazing ballplayer, but an equally amazing human being. We were even at Three Rivers Stadium in the early 70's for Roberto Clemente night.
My dad died this morning. He hadn't been well in a while, had serious heart surgery, and never got better. The call that he had died was a relief, as we knew if was coming soon. I went out and played 9 holes of golf this afternoon, with the same shitty swing that my dad taught me. Why would a guy who can't break 90 think he can teach someone to play golf? Because I was his son, and that's what dads do. No Earl and Tiger Woods were we!
It may sound like spreading the blame, but I got a lot of my personality from my dad. He was a real schmoozer, friendly to everyone (especially the ladies), loved a joke and knew how to tell one. He was a good shitgiver.....not as viscous as me, but I certainly got the skill from him.
I don't know if he planned it, but when I was pretty young he taught me about baseball box scores in the newspaper, and how I could see every day how my heroes, Clemente, Willie Stargell and the rest of the Pirates, had done the night before (this is before the internet and Sportscenter brought us that news way earlier!). After that, I couldn't wait to get to the newspaper every morning. To this day, I still don't feel right until I've read the morning news.
We're born, we live a while, we die. Maybe along the way we do something that leaves an impression. I guess my sister and I are that impression of my dad. Thanks dad.
This blog lost one of it's steady readers today (I guess that is about 25% of my audience!). Dad didn't agree with most of what I write here, but he read it anyways.
That's what dad's do.
For those of you who didn't know him, I apologize, but writing this makes me feel better. Soon, I will write the kind of scathing stuff you expect from me regarding the cost to taxpayers of his surgery. Not up for that today.
So it goes.
5 comments:
Glenn, I'm so sorry for your loss. He left behind a fine legacy in you.
Sorry you've lost your Dad, Glenn. I'm glad I read your blog post about him. My Dad always told me about his favorite player growing up, Roberto Clemente.
- Mark
My father took me to ballgames and taught me to follow the Red Sox. For a while there, in 1978 and 1986 in particular, I wasn't sure if I should thank him or not. But 2004 made up for it.
Thanks dad, and nicely done, Glenn.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Glenn. I always loved listening to your stories in our Econ classes, and this blog post was no different.
Beautifully told and thank you for sharing.
Your father obviously did a few things right, one of them raising you into the brilliant teacher you are today. Many students at FRCC love your classes, and I hope you receive the recognition you deserve.
Best Wishes for the summer.
Julia Adama
Hey Glen, Good to see you on Banjo Billy a couple weeks ago. I stumbled upon your Christmas email today, and linked here. So sorry to hear about your Dad..It's a tough thing to lose a parent even though it does happen to people all the time, it doesn't happen to you all the time. Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you... lost my dad 4 years ago on the 4th of July..still think of him every day.
Hope to see you soon.
-Kala
Post a Comment