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| circa 1971 |
"Do you remember the day you realized your father was not perfect?"
That was the question posed to me on a mountain bike ride years ago and it has nagged me ever since. I will protect this friend's identity but she went on to tell me about that "fateful" day in her youth when she saw her father as a normal person...flawed and real.
When I sat down to write this post, I initially thought it would be about Bill. He is an extraordinary father. It's just that simple. However, my mind continuously wonders to my own
Many of you know him...he is Oyster Bamboo's self proclaimed "GQ effect".
Bruce Ronald Diaddigo was born 70 or so years ago in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. His parents were gritty and resilient Italian immigrants that worked in the local steel mill and fully embraced their European culture on a daily basis...Family, Food, Religion and Tradition.
Looking back with clarity (which improves exponentially as I accrue more wisdom), my parents provided my brother and I with a rather idyllic childhood. Our weeks consisted of a set routine. If we did not hit the road in search of another historical site, our weekends had a rhythm as well...often, my father would start a sauce on Friday night that became a big spaghetti and meatball dinner on Sunday after Mass. Everybody was always together. It was simple. Again, looking back...I now know that was not an accident. It seemed so effortless for him...devoted husband and father.
Side note: For those of you that have eaten my meatballs...thank my father.
Of course, most father's have an endless flood of
Words of Wisdom
1. Be a forest ranger.
2. Never let a man treat you like his best hunting dog.
3. Make your own way.
4. You are the company you keep.
5. Don't cry. Fix it. (editor's note: when I did cry...he fixed it)
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| Dad and Mom on the road...as usual... |
(insert sarcastic tone here) This may surprise you but I
That's a patient man.
He did not lose his patience with me...
Not even when I totaled a half a dozen cars. Seriously.
Not even when I left the tub ON while trying to bath the cat and the bathroom landed in our foyer.
Not even when I repeatedly brought home stray animals (a few were even pregnant).
Not even when I came home with
Not even when I ran over his mailbox with his car while he watched and I kept going...long story.
Not even when I sent all of my loser friends to him for a job (whom he generously employed).
Not even when I maxed out the credit card he gave me on boots...repeatedly.
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| Two of the 6 cars...in my defense...my father did buy me an Alpha Romeo! That's an accident just in wait... |
I realize this paints a picture of a spoiled rotten child and an overindulgent father. So be it. However, this is the same man who instilled a "go big or go home" work ethic in my brother and me . He always says that respect is earned. Work for it. We do.
When I told my father that I was dating a professional cyclist (Bill's former career before going mainstream with bamboo fly rod building), he thought for a second and said "cool". He seriously admired Bill's aspirations. My father taught me that ambition is not exclusive of corporate culture and carries over in most aspects of your life regardless of your vocation.
It's easy to understand that my father is enthusiastic about our bamboo fly rod making career choice today. We do okay. But my father was supportive of our
Most importantly, my father (through his example and words) taught me to settle for nothing less than a strong, kind, compassionate and skillful husband. Done.
So...back to that mountain bike ride and the question that has intrigued me for almost15 years...
"Do you remember the day you realized your father was not perfect?"
No. I don't.
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| Happy Father's Day. I love you. |
