June 20, 2018 Father's Day
We just celebrated Father's Day. I lost my Dad in 1992. Looking at the cultural vitriol such as "severed heads, profanity, vile name calling that assaults us daily to make a political point, I think back to the greatest gift, among many, this humble man gave to his children. He gave us a part of himself, a love and trust in God, and a love for Truth.
There were three of us children, my Mom, my Grandma and always, a German Shepherd. I remember this time in particular because we had fallen on hard times. Looking back, besides being loved, my Dad made sure we would cultivate a love for seeking out the Good, the Noble, the True. He was a brilliant man, well read, immersed in all the classics, he had large sections of Shakespeare memorized along with many other poets. And, his actions proved him a good man, always helping others, always giving each the benefit of the doubt. I adored him, and followed him around like his shadow; we became very close. He was my father, he was also my mentor.
Ben Franklin once said, (we've all heard it,) when asked by someone after the Union had been formed, "What have we got?" Franklin responded, "A Republic if you can keep it." He was 81 at that moment.
Every night as we lingered around the family dinner table, my Dad would start a conversation, always about an idea; philosophical, theological, political, ethical, etc., usually accompanied by some quote, poem he had in his head. The debate would begin. Mom would keep the coffee warm, or the desert coming, while each of us, even the youngest, myself, expressed our opinions, trying to back them up on solid ground. He or one of my two older brothers would of course challenge, and this could go on for hours. I grew to love those times although never fully appreciating what he was doing until years later. We had intense discussions, but always with courtesy and respect for the other. My Dad modeled humility and gave dignity to each of us. We learned to love debate, the search for truth and each other. We yearned to read high minded people's thoughts and ponder them.
As I grew up, I thought all families did this. I was surprised to find not all my peers were as addicted to philosophical debate. Years later after realizing this was not going away, I began to understand what a gift he had given us. It cost not a dime, only his time. From the first book I fell in love with at 12, Viktor Frankl's, "Man's Search for Meaning," to the book that changed my life, after many missteps, Teresa of Avila's, "Interior Castle," and many since, I finally thanked my Dad, in my heart, he was with God by then.
Now, I also realize what Ben Franklin meant, and Jefferson reiterated, without an educated, virtuous, and faith-oriented populace, this "experiment" of government by the people for the people would never last. We must learn in each generation to love the True, the Good, the Noble. As St. Augustine once said, long after a squandered youth, "too late have I loved Thee, Oh Ancient Beauty, so ancient and ever new."
If I leave my own children nothing more, this will suffice.
