Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD!!

Time out for a hug at a rest area in Silver Dollar City on our last vacation together. We rode the rides, got wet on some of them. When I said last vacation, I simply mean, before they went off to college and eventually got married. A time when they were still our "little" boys.
Summer of 1971, Dad with his boys at Eldorado Lake. It was a "Young" family camping trip with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Burt's family and us. We had a tent city, and always enjoyed the time together, that is, until it started to rain. It seemed to always rain on us. It would not rain for weeks, then let the family put up the tents, and here comes the rain. We were magnets for the storms. This was Mark's first summer at this type of adventure. It looks like Tim and Daddy were in a very important discussion. Tim probably wanted to go lakeside and fish. The other man in the picture is Gary's brother Bill (Burt).

Yep, you guessed it, in the recliner with full control of the remote. After a hard days work you would find him there, sometimes asleep with Skippy and LT. Skippy would sleep on the top of the back of the chair, and LT in his lap. Later the pets were replaced by sweet little munchkins who joined us.

One of his passions was playing golf. He always said that you needed dress sharp and look the part you played. That way no one would ever know if you played the game well or not. His only request on Father's Day was that his boys play a round with him. Being the age that Mark was, he rebelled about that, but always went, and always had a good time. Gary said that Mark was a natural at the game, his center of gravity was low and that gave him the advantage of playing well.

Wonderful pictures tell the story of a gentle man who was a wonderful father, and memories of Father's Days past. In later years, he always fired up the grill and cooked steaks, chicken, and shrimp on Father's Day. According to Valleri, her "Papa cooked the best chicken she ever ate. " She was his sidekick at the grill. I am sure those who were present at those Father's Day cookouts remember the RED apron he wore. Looked good, because he always wore shorts and his legs were always hanging out. What fun we had!!

Volunteering is more...........

As most of you know, I am volunteering at a local hospital. This is the third week for me, and I have found it to be very enlightening. Originally, I said that I would get back to you and report on the experience. So here goes.........

When I started I was paired up with "Gary". Gary is president of the volunteer's association. I asked him today how long had he been doing this, and he only said " a long long time". He is the go to person for anything you need to know. Now being the type of person I am, I continually quiz him on anything and everything I think is important to me and how I do this job. I am sort of anal about that type of thing. I want to do it right the first time, and I believe that experience in doing, is the best teacher. What I learned today is unbelievable and totally amazing to me.

The volunteer association of the Via Christi system worked and raised a quarter of a million dollars last year. That money is distributed to various areas that Via Christ supports. Such as:

*The Sister Mother MaryAnne Clinic: supported lactation education for indigent mothers and their children.

* Koch Arena: helped buy equipment needed for the sports medicine clinic located at the arena. Interns of the system work and learn in that clinic.

* Gave $1,000.00 scholarships to worthy Teen Volunteers for further education in any in state university or college.

*Gave monetary grants to: Our Lady of Lourdes Rehabilitation Center and to the Good Shepherd Campus (drug & rehab center).

That is just to mention a few recipients. I was amazed. I had no idea what the volunteers did other than their usual duties. These volunteers are our senior citizens and our teens. They are totally dedicated to their association and the accomplishments of the association.

I asked Gary how was the money raised, and he said: they have T-towel sales, the two hospital's gift and flower shops; all of the vending machines; jewelry sales and bake sales.

The volunteers of the Via Christi system are more than just a room number, letter delivery, wheelchair pushing or delivering those beautiful flowers. I have a new respect for them and what they are about, and feel privileged to have been allowed into that circle. It is not only the seniors of our community, it also the teens. Together they are making the hospital stays of the client better and less stressful, and working to give back to the hospital in areas that are in need.

So when you buy a gift or flowers from one of the shops, or support a bake sale, or buy a t-towel, etc. You are supporting the work of the volunteer and all the good they do and continue to do.