MY INSPIRATION
I just read an inspiring blog post by bkb2012. Her post, in turn, inspired me to write about that which keeps me "on fire".
My Father, God rest his soul, was a newspaper editor for most of his adult life. A high school dropout, he got a job after World War 2 as a copy boy at a small paper in Northern California.
My Dad was, in fact, a brilliant, well-spoken and hard working man. He applied himself to his newfound proffession and rose through the ranks quickly. Copy boy, cub reporter, beat reporter, assistant wire editor and then wire editor. "Back in the day", a wire editor was the guy who gathered the news off "the wire" (UPI, AP, et al) and from beat reporters and put the news portion of the paper together. Every night that 11 p.m. deadline loomed like a silent boss peering over his shoulder.
As he aged the pressure took its toll. His employer, the San Jose Mercury/News, transferred him to the "Travel" section, where he edited for the last ten years of his working life. He had a weekly "byline", picture and all, and enjoyed the many benefits of that pressure-less job. Free travel, free "King" treatment at resorts and on cruises. Just so he would write a quality story about that experience. He loved and deserved it.
My Dad always wanted me to enter the newspaper business. Hesaid I was a "natural". Instead, I became a plumber! This greatly disappointed my Dad, old school news guy that he was. He had no problem expressing his disappointment to me, either!
Finally I went to my Dad and said, "Pops, you know we really are in the same business, right?"
He responded, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Looking straight into his eyes and with a stone face I retorted, "Well, we both deal in crap!"
A thirty second no-blink staring war ensued. What was he thinking? I kind of wished I hadn't said that to him. Then, with a sudden crack in his facial armor, he broke into a huge smile, belly-laughed and laid a long and bracing bear hug on me. He told me he loved me and said, "Son, if you want to be a plumber, then you go and be the best damn plumber you can be!"
I will carry that memory to my grave. He was my inspiration, and to this day still is. When I'm in self-doubt, feeling lazy or worn down, I think of my Father and how hard he worked, how well he did with little education. He was a self-made man.
I love you, Dad.
Recent Comments
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That was a nice story. I used to work in the newspaper business too as an advertising and sales rep. My mom passed away 10 years ago. We all need to appreciate our parents and grandparents. One day they will be gone.
Good One. If people only realized how important their Mom and Dad are to their lives it would make a big difference. My Dad rarely stated what was in his heart until late in life and after a few sips of brandy and then it all came out.....an amazing story of his love for me and his family. He just never learned to say it...but he showed it always. Keep going till you get it done and help other always is what I learned.
hi buddy my name is bill am sixty three retired,worked with my hands most of life,[ my old man would of told me exactly the same] b- proud of who u-r. he worked in the bldgn. trades in n.y. city,as well as my grandfather,they were stand up guys!-bill
That's a wonderful story Larry about a wonderful relationship. When I lost my Dad I lost my anchor but I'm so thankful that he was and always will be my Dad, and I'm proud to be his daughter :)
Beautiful story and beautiful tribute to your dad. I lost my dad when I was just eight years old, but I remember him so well. He was tall and lanky and very quiet, and he played piano like a dream. He entertained everybody wherever we went. Love your dad story. He's your muse.
Yeah great story, warms my heart. I lost my dad last year so every dad story brings tears to my eyes. A son never forgets... The man who started that phrase sure knew what he was saying.
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I love your story, and so true often parents appear to want us to be them or live their lives better. When in fact they just want us to be the best we can be, the problem is they often just do not know much about matters outside their world so anything else frightens them. You have inspired me and perhaps I will write the true story about my father too in the not too distant future. HMM --- got me thinking.