This is my dad a warm, caring, set in his ways, very Italian, stubborn and always there each time I have needed him kind of guy. Although my father and I collide on a lot of issues whether they are political, social or everyday nonsense; he refuses to deviate. My dad was born in Sicily with nothing but a loving father and mother (greatest people you will ever meet). He is the youngest of 9 siblings technically; however he had an older brother who died at age 2 from pneumonia. He has survived hunger, disease and begging for food for his family, terrorizing his older sister, and moving from the only place he has ever known to another country. He has worked his tail off to provide for both his parents at age 15 and has not stopped. He gives his all and never asks for anything in return but honesty and love.
My father worked to give my brothers and I what he never had. He instilled in me the act of giving as well as hard work. I had a job when I was 12 yrs old babysitting kids in the neighborhood because I refused to ask my parents for money. I wasn't exactly allowed to have a job school was much more important to them, however I could have a vacation job while school was out. Even then I had to do something "school" related. My mother would get the reading list (extra) from my teacher (things she/he would recommend) and I would have to read that while on break to fulfill her criteria. I learned that although working was a part of growth but that you had to have the education to back it up. By the time I was allowed to have a job I was the captain of the swim team, president of the swim club, part of the water polo team (only girl), in the marine biology club and active in my community. I worked at a local movie theater and was a requested babysitter setting my own wages around my community. With my earnings I was going to help pay 1/2 of my ticket to Europe and for all my senior items. Not only did I learn the value of a dollar but it meant more because I had earned it.
Over the years that I have grown I don't think he has ever been able to understand me. I have always gone against the grain mainly because I was free too. His advice is always meant to be taken and to be considered as law. However, I always did my own thing and at times it may have seem to him the wrong path he never really let me fall to hard. He understood that my taking the more abstract path was a way to carve my world out instead of taking his pre-tested road.
My dad and I have a way about us when we talk. that is we don't we argue. To my dad I am still the little girl that never ages, he has a double standards for and it will forever be that way. I in a way get that however I fight against it. My dad is very lovable and can be tough at times but I know it comes from a loving heart.
Although he doesn't see things clearly at times, I know that he is always there for me. I'm not going to dwelll on the past but my parents and I have been through a lot and I am thankful for both of them; they made me the person I am today.
Love ya dad
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