Father's Day Thoughts From EG

What's special about your dad? Here are three responses. We welome yours – leave it in the comments section below. And ... thanks, Dad!

From Joannie Edwardsen Hinman:
“This is the first Father's Day I haven't bought a card for my dad. I've thought a lot about him over the last six months as grief has kept me company, particularly while driving around in my car. His life spanned the days of horse and buggy, which is how he delivered flour with his father in Jersey City, all the way to skyping with his great granddaughter Molly Luna on his 90th birthday. Just incredible. What did he teach me?  His favorite expressions were, "It's only money," and, "The squeaking wheel gets the grease" – so those messages made their mark. When I got my first car he taught me to carefully add water to the battery just until you could see a dimple – no higher than that.  At my request he taught me how to tie a tie – "Why does a girl need to know that?" And once near the croutons at the Red Bull Inn salad bar he bent down to deliver the following instruction: "I want to tell you something important, Joannie. It's about blue cheese dressing. Dip the ladle ALL the way to the bottom of the jar. That's where the big chunks of blue cheese are." It's true. Thanks for everything, Dad. I'm sure I'll remember something more profound as I drive around this weekend, but that blue cheese tip has come in handy.”

From Laura Foster:
“The older I get, the more I appreciate my father. On Father’s Day and every day I feel blessed to have such a wonderful father and role model for my three children. After teaching for over 40 years, both of my parents retired when the oldest of my children was born nearly 13 years ago. Instead of retiring to a warmer climate or traveling the world, my parents have given me the wonderful gift of caring for my children when I returned to work. Every day I am grateful for the peace of mind that this gives me, and thankful for the special bond that my children have with their Nana and Papa.

I could go on about my father’s wonderful attributes, but instead I thought I’d share this. For his 68th birthday my children and I gave my father a list of 68 reasons why we love him. Here are some of my favorites:

He is very kind and thoughtful

He always puts others before himself

He is patient

He is generous

If we are sick or sad he wipes away our tears

He is a good listener

His family is most important to him

He respects other people

He never complains

He is a good companion

He always sets a good example for us

He likes making other people happy

He teaches us valuable lessons for school and life

He keeps everyone safe and happy

He always says something nice, no matter what happens

He makes everyone feel special

He would do anything for us

With each passing year, my father and I grow closer. He is the best friend, father and grandfather anyone could ask for. I am proud to be his daughter and hope that my children and I inherit his goodness.”

From Courtney Grady-Calcione, owner of David-Max:
“Over the years my father has always dropped whatever we was doing, to be there for me. Through the hard times and the good he has had my back, whether he agreed with me decision making or not. My happiness has always been a priority. Opening David-Max was a dream of mine. I’ve wanted to own a boutique since as long as I could remember. When I told him what I was planning, he stuck to what he's always done, and said I am behind you every step of the way. Along with his full time job and side work, supporting a household in Worcester, he has been down here in East Greenwich, almost every weekend for hours at a time. No job was too small or too big, it didn't matter. Living an hour away I don't always have the time to swing by and give him a coffee or a hug just to say thank you. He has been an inspiration to me. True validation of unconditional love, support and respect. I wouldn't be who I am without him.”