Happy Father’s Day To Peter Myles

In celebration of Father's Day on Sunday June 17, we asked Patch readers to write a letter to their father and let us deliver it. This is Kimberly Howcroft's letter to her dad:

Dear Dad,

I am 52 years old and still blessed to have both you and Mommy to share my life with. I love you both tremendously. However, in honor of Father’s Day, I would like to pay tribute to you Dad, Peter Myles, the owl, the most dedicated, smart, and supportive person I know. Your sense of humor is a reminder to me that there is always a silver lining to every cloud, and we’ve had many lately.

Many people don’t know this, but you were one of the founding fathers of Lacey Township boys’ baseball and girls’ softball. When there was nothing for your children, you and many of your friends got together, spoke with the township administrators and were granted permission to form a baseball and softball league. That began my interest and love for sports. Your dedication paved the way for thousands of boys and girls.
From the time Randy and I were born, you and Mom have been our biggest cheerleaders. When I say that I had “Beaver Cleaver” childhood, I am not exaggerating.

You got home at 4:30 nearly every day from Ciba, while Mom and Nannie always had dinner on the table. We would sit around the table each night and talk about our days. We would beg you over and over to tell us your stories about the National Guard and your days growing up in Kearny. When times were tough, you worked an extra job at Burger Chef and cut wood to help support us.

I could go on and on about the wonderful life you have provided for me, but there is not enough room in Lacey Patch, so I would like to thank you for:

loving Mommy, giving me Randy, moving to Lacey, your fabulous 45 collection, helping to create LTYAA, converting for Mommy, fresh squeezed orange juice, building our playset, the tractor tires and slide, teaching us the importance of gardening, my basketball hoop, Around the World, coaching all my teams, the Bruins, Seaside with Grandpa and Grandma, Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey, Disney, vacations, Easter egg hunts, new bikes, blinding flash bulbs and lights from home movies, playing the stands, switching rooms, my “apartment,” ice skating, The Owl’s weather predictions, supporting Heather in every way, guitar lessons, having the patience to teach me about photosynthesis, “your macaroni and cheese,” getting my car off the curb at GCC, summer basketball, your driving “shortcuts,” bondookies, concerts, The Blob, War of the Worlds, Yellow Submarine, “the airspeed velocity of an unladen African swallow,” The Holy Grail, The Four Seasons, Peter Paul & Mary, my very first Beatles records, chauffeuring me and my friends everywhere and Great Adventure. Thank you for being my best friend and thank you for my life.

Your grateful daughter,
Kimberly

See all Father's Day letters here.

Image Credit: Kimberly Howcroft