[larger] Today is my father’s 87th birthday. Arthur P. Giacalone was born in Lodi, NJ, to Italian-immigrant parents, on Feb. 26, 1919. For most of his working life, “Art” was a “mail man” for the U.S. Post Office (on walking routes in neighborhoods in Rochester, NY). In retirement, he drove a school bus until hitting the maximum age limit of 70. (With his perfect safety record, why didn’t his two lawyer sons fight that ageist rule? He probably would have told us to mind our own business).
I wish it were possible to give Dad his good health back. Instead, the best I can do is to let him know how much his three children, his wife, and his five grandchildren love him, and appreciate how hard this humble man worked to raise his family and set us off into the wider world.
Click here to see my Dad with his three children on Easter 1954.
And click here to see him in 2005 with his two youngest grandchildren.
I’m a lucky man to reach the age of 56 and have both of my parents alive. Dad, as always, I send my love and wish you all the best.
My friend Yu Chang has written many poems that set an appropriate tone today.
old passport
the tug
of my father’s smile
pumpkin patch —
this one is big enough
for my son
winter woods
seeing myself
in black and whiteearly bird special
rubbing elbows
with strangersold birch
the cracked heart
still shows
winter solstice
so glad
you got home safely
mountain lake –
basking
in your reflection
………………….. Yu Chang – all from Upstate Dim Sum
“old passport” – (2001/II); The Loose Thread: RMA 2001
“pumpkin patch” & “winter woods” – (2005/I)
“old birch” – Upstate Dim Sum (2001/I)
“early bird special” – (2004/II)
“winter solstice” – (2005/II)
dagosan has penned a few, too, that are dedicated to Art Giacalone.
WWII
dad rather not
talk about it
dad’s 87th birthday
emphysema
and dementia
visiting parents —
faces and refrains
gettin’ old
rainy night drive —
squinting at glare
through dad’s eyes
[haiga here]
that little grunt
dad always made–
putting on my socks
frogpond (XXVIII: 2, 2005); inside the mirror: RMA 2005
……………………….. by dagosan
What a beautiful tribute.
Comment by Aurora — February 27, 2006 @ 11:36 am
Dear Brother, Your tribute is bitter-sweet but lovely. Your father would have enjoyed seeing you on Sunday, but he knows he has your love. At one point during dinner, surrounded by his wife, eldest son, lovely daughter-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren, he turned to me and asked: “There’s no special occasion today, is there?” I didn’t want to know whether it was his humility, or his lack of short-term memory, that led him to make that inquiry. I assured him that his 87th birthday was, in deed, a special occasion. After all, he even got to eat his favorite dessert, pineapple-upsidedown-cake. Much love, Arthur
Comment by Arthur J. Giacalone — February 27, 2006 @ 8:19 pm
Thank you, Aurora and Arthur. I wonder how our minds will be working thirty years from now. Maybe haiku and senryu will keep us sharp. Arthur, you should give it a try. For starters, go here.
Comment by David Giacalone — February 27, 2006 @ 9:05 pm
David, you have a twin? It must be amazing to be a twin.
Comment by Aurora — February 28, 2006 @ 2:36 pm
Yes, Aurora, it can be amazing at times. Of course, my first lawyer mentor hated profanity and would often say: “You can always substitute the word ‘amazing’.”
Comment by David Giacalone — February 28, 2006 @ 7:04 pm