Here’s a very personal post about me and my family. Father’s Day is here and I want to pay a tribute to my dad. First off – my mom is pretty easy to talk about. I remember a conversation with my uncle about my mom – I said but she is mom, and his reply was yes she is your mom. And she is A Mother.

Yes, that is exactly how he meant it. My mom is intimidating to some, but I love her very much. My dad on the other hand – not so different but it is more like he wears a mask of superiority.

My father seems serious and unapproachable to those who don’t know him. But to me, spending time with my father was the highlight of my day. I was always around my mother and grandparents. My dad was always in his office working – don’t get me wrong, it was always standard procedure for all three generations to share dinner together and share events of the day. And I can remember sneaking a peek through the office door just to watch him work.

Good times. Where to begin?

My Dad

I love my dad. We share a very close relationship. Even as a child, the time with my dad was cherished. Maybe because most of the time, my brother and I were with my mother and grandmother.

To this day it is still my dad I speak to and consult with most. My parents didn’t play favorites but I would have to say, it’s easier for me to talk and relate to my father than it is for my brother. It is the other way around applying to mom – my brother is closer to my mother than I am.

Looking back, the similarities are clear to me. My brother was more influenced by our mom. Where I am more like my dad. It’s not that my parents have ever shown any favoritism, it is an observation of the relationships.

I say it is because of the genes. My dad is a very youthful, handsome man. He is honorable and committed to his family. He is also a very humble man and I believe this has a lot to do with our family background. We have always had a deep appreciation of hard work and its accomplishments. To see see my dad not dressed in a suit and tie is still a little weird for me.

Although much of the nurturing was done by my mom and grandmother, there was still a great deal of influence from my father. He had his rules and he felt more ‘at ease’ when working so hard. I can honestly say my dad never has raised his voice or a hand to me. All it took was a look of disappointment (and tears from my mom) to hit me like a knife.

Dad had an open door policy even at the family business, unless he was speaking to a vendor. Many times I would tiptoe and peek in just to watch him, and many times he would catch me and invite me into his office and have a short talk, or even share a hot peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream together.

Musical Influence

As I have mentioned before, I played the violin from childhood well up into my teens. It was a family tradition which many of my cousins have accomplished also, but I was the oldest among us and the first to do that. My brother was more into the guitar with Carlos Santana – his favorite guitarist, who also is one of dad’s favorites.

Our home was always filled with a variety of music. From dad’s office you could hear any type of Latino music, but also BB King, John Lennon, Neil Young, and of course Carlos Santana. He loved to listen to music as he worked. Now that I stop to think of it, it was probably the only time other than his driving in the car. My momma was more into classical music and pop.

Once I could play the violin, I was welcomed to play practice in dad’s home office. I think I was about 10 when my father, grandpa and I played at a family barbecue. This was a very proud moment for me.

Since dad is into music, when my girlfriends and I were having some music on and dancing at home, he would often join in. He was always a big hit in these moments.

My father taught me salsa and the jitter bug. My first public dance with my dad was at a wedding – we danced the jitter bug.

Sports

Something else I learned from the male side of my family is my passion for running. My grandfather still runs at 72 with my dad. I have many awesome memories of going to the park to run with dad and grandpa. These two men in my life have supported my love of sports ever since I can remember. After I went off to college, I looked forward to coming back home and those morning runs with dad and grandpa so much.

As my grandparents retired, my brother and I reaped the benefits of getting to spend more time with them. We all continued to live together. My grandparents introduced me to cooking. Both love to cook – my grandfather is into Mexican cuisine more than anything else. I am not talking Americanized Mexican food, but the real deal!

Education

I owe so much to my parents. They have given me the resented but much needed challenges, and the much appreciated but well-earned privileged opportunities.

Some have criticized my parents because they thought I was becoming too much of an achiever and taking education and a career too seriously. That is a hard rap I think. My parents did the best they could; both were on top of everything to do with education. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

Career and Travel

When it came to my career and traveling, my dad was more supportive than my mother. I started traveling in college before I would be hopscotching my way around the states for my career. My dad’s thoughts on traveling were educational. He never questioned my dedication to work. He has always understood me and my drive.

As I think of my dad this Father’s Day, I am very proud to be his daughter. I am grateful for all his influence on me. I would have to say a father’s comforting arms are very hard to forget. Even now as a grown woman I feel the same.
I still feel the embrace of my father’s arms, and still feel the protection and safety in them – even now, miles apart.

Happy Father’s Day, daddy.

Thanks to my readers for reading this personal post about my father and me today.