Jeff S.

Dad,

How special is a father in a son’s life? Pretty darn special! Your influence is in every cell of my body and my brain. Thank G-d you’re on the good side of “The Force”. Not only did you effect who I am, but you also set the example of how I raise my son. Sometimes, I ask myself “what would Dad do?”.

I could fill a book with memories and feelings but for some reason, one memory is pushing its way to the front. Maybe because this is a perfect illustration of who you are.

When we were kids we had long haired guinea pigs (caves). We started with Herbie and Whiskers. They had many babies, and we loved them all (Full Disclosure: brothers Larry and Lenny cared for them). But one baby wasn’t quite right. Some of its hair was green and it seemed sick and didn’t eat much. Its mother, Whiskers, had cared for all her many babies, but she wasn’t caring for this one. Her instincts told her to save her milk for the healthy babies.

One night I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and saw the light was on downstairs. I went downstairs and found you half awake sitting in a chair with the light on over your head. You had the green haired baby cradled in one arm and a piece of lettuce in your other hand. I asked what was going on. You said you were worried about the baby and stayed up all night waiting for it to eat.

No body else was up. Nobody else asked you to stay up with the baby, and nobody knew what you were up to. I don’t think you were nursing the baby for us kids. I think your nature wouldn’t let you rest while you knew that little creature was in trouble. You stayed up all night hoping you could make a difference and help the shunned baby turn the corner and recover.

Well, unfortunately, that baby wasn’t meant to live. But you still made a difference. You showed me that a strong man can be a gentle, caring, and empathetic man. You showed me that when a cause is right, you do what you can to advance it, even if it seems hopeless and others have given up. You showed me self-sacrifice is the measure of love. And as much as I loved you up to that night, which was an awful lot, watching you nursing that sickly green haired baby guinea pig in the middle of the night I loved you even more.

You made a difference for our family and everyone who takes the time to know you, and you continue to enrich our lives today. I am so lucky to have you as my father.

Have a great, happy, and healthy 80th year. Looking forward to many more wonderful years together.

Happy Birthday Dad,

Jeff