This is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to my father on Father's Day in 2011. He was just diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer and had two months to live.
Dear Dad,
When it comes to fathers, I won the lottery. Your warmth, wisdom, strength, and guidance sustained me throughout my life. Some of the great memories I have of you include trips to NYC to visit your office at Scientific American Magazine. I loved riding on the train and going to work with my dad. Your secretary was very gracious in letting me type on her typewriter, and play on the Xerox machine—two of my favorite things to do.
During the first summer at an overnight camp in Massachusetts, I was terribly homesick. Each week you sent me a different troll (a popular doll in the '60s) as a way to make me feel loved. It was this kindness, and many others like it, which made me realize what a great dad I had.
On our many trips to the Virgin Islands, I learned how to mix drinks, at your "behest," during our in-room happy hours. To this day, I am an expert at making Piña Coladas and Banana Daiquiris!
I could hear your voice in my head whenever I auditioned for plays: "Speak loudly and clearly," you said to me. As a result, I got many lead roles.
You were always there to support me in school and in my career. Often, you were my biggest fan. At a time when it was unusual for girls to pursue careers in business, you encouraged me to give it everything I had.
My pursuit of excellence came from you. After all, you were a Harvard graduate, intelligent, and hard-working. Although you achieved much, you wore your achievements with grace and understatement.
Your sense of humor was always a hallmark of my life. During times of great difficulty, you would make a light-hearted joke which would dissipate my serious outlook.
Then, of course, there were the inevitable nicknames that you gave to all your kids. For me, it was, "Chick, Chicky, Chick-a-Dee, Pick". Have I ever heard you call me by my real name? I can't remember the last time you did, but these nicknames have endeared you to me all of my life.
Dad, to say you are an eloquent speaker is an understatement. You always seemed to know just the right words to say, and how to say them. Your perspective on life, your pearls of wisdom, and your encouragement will always be with me.
When visiting you and Mom this year in Florida, I noticed a picture of you as a young man. I realized my son Jared looks just like you! I'm grateful that your image will forever be imprinted on him.
The man I married has many of your characteristics: kindness, warmth, intelligence. He is also very frugal and uses duct tape to cover holes in his shoes instead of buying new ones. Hmmm, sounds like someone I know.
I am truly blessed to have you as my father, and I am privileged and honored to be your daughter. I love you so much.
Happy Father's Day!
Love,
Abby