My father, Grady “Skip” Lael, was a town marshal, as some of you know, and a good one.
June is, of course, the month in which we celebrate Father’s Day. It is also my birthday month—Dad and I were both born on the tenth.
This year, he would have been 100 years old.
I will be 77.
Do I miss him? Yes, of course I do, just as I miss my Mom.
They were great parents, though, like everyone else, they had their faults. Fortunately for me and my siblings, all three of whom are younger than I am, their love, integrity and creativity far outweighed any shortcomings.
My strength and persistence comes from my dad (so does my stubbornness, alas), my talent for writing, from my mom, (along with a tendency to be easily distracted).
I will see them again, I know that.
In the meantime, I will try to live in a way that would make them proud.
