Paul Sassone

“Just wait until your father gets home!”

On more than one occasion I heard my mother utter this threat when I had misbehaved. I lived the rest of the day in fear that I would “get it” when my dad got home.

I never considered the situation from my father’s point of view. After a lengthy commute, after eight hours of setting type, after another lengthy commute home, my father was faced with charge specifications from my mom against my misbehavior.

Mom had already found me guilty. My father’s only role in the trial was as executioner. Welcome home, Frank.

But, that was part of the traditional role for fathers. They earned the money that kept the family solvent and they were the enforcers.

It was a thankless job in many ways, being a father.

I know I didn’t thank my father enough. And I should have.

My father was the first — and best — teacher I ever had, or would have.

Oh, I learned to read and to tie my shoes in school.

But, my dad taught me other things, showed me new things.

He trotted alongside me when I learned to ride a bike.

He taught me how to hold a bat.

He took me to my first ball game.

He took me to my first movie (“Wake of the Red Witch” with John Wayne).

He taught me that government exists to help those in need and not for the enrichment of the already rich.

He introduced me to the symphonies of Beethoven.

He taught me responsibility by every day walking the dog I had promised to care for if only we could get her.

He turned bread, catsup, seasoning and sweet peppers into a delicacy.

He even bought me my first drink when I came of age.

Family dynamics have changed a lot since those days. Traditional roles are less traditional and rigid.

But fathers still teach.

And it’s not easy since the students often don’t want to listen to the teacher, though later on they realize the value of those lessons.

Father’s Day is the day set aside to thank fathers, to publicly appreciate fathers.

It’s late, I know Dad, but thanks.

–Father’s Day is a time to thank our dads–