by Barry Girolamo

Created on: June 18, 2010

After having had the privilege of enjoying fifty five "Father's Day" celebrations with my Dad, this will be the first one which I will celebrate without his presence, as he passed away at the age of eighty seven this past summer. As I reflect upon the positive influence he had on my life, I also realize that he was human, as we all are, and sometimes we aren't perfect. I realize this more as the years go by, as I strive to make myself a better person and father so that I can pass on a positive role model for my children and grandchildren, just as my father did for us.

Even though my father will not be with me physically this year, he will always be with me in the memories I cherish as I look back upon my childhood. I remember him teaching me how to ride my first two wheeled bicycle, running behind me at the schoolyard and clapping his hands to let me know that he had let go of the bicycle, and that I was pedaling and balancing upon the bike all by myself, without his hand to steady me. The feeling of pride I felt that day, which I can still recall so vividly, are what being a father is all about. Being there for support, and helping your child to realize that they can learn to do for themselves. This is what my father taught me, and is what I attempt to pass on to my family.  Not the message that "I'm the perfect man", but the message that I can help my children to learn to achieve for themselves and to feel good about themselves.

There are moments while raising my children which I wish I could take back, and maybe do better by them, but of course we can't. What we can do is to learn from our past mistakes, and to try not to make the same mistake twice, and to always explain to your child when it is realized that you've made an error in judgement that it was a mistake, and that you are sorry, no matter how many years have passed, or how old they are. This is how you pass on the lesson that we are all human, and that we can learn from our mistakes.

I will spend this Father's Day with my children and grandchildren, enjoying the day with my family, and I will also remember the times I spent with my father, and how he will always be with me. Not a day passes without my having a thought or memory of him, and although I wish I could spend the day with him, he will forever be with me. Happy Father's Day.

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