Father's Day Reflections: Jeff Levy of KFWB
Fathers Day has always been a bittersweet holiday for me. My dad passed away unexpectedly on Mothers Day 1975. It was sudden and unexpected, leaving no time to talk things over, tell him how much I loved him, or even say sad goodbyes.
I still have a point of contact with my dad in the form of some of his ashes in a small container sitting on the mantel in my living room, and I have shoe boxes full of family photographs from back in the day. (Yes, I'll get around to digitizing them some day)
Special Section: CBSLA.com's Father's Day Guide
Those are the tangible reminders of life with my dad and I'm glad I have them. But I also have a head full of memories, mental images and fond feelings in my heart about him that I'll treasure forever. Memories like the things my dad stood for, the way he would talk to everyone the same way, never talking down to or being judgmental about anyone or anything, the way he would stand up for people who couldn't stand up for themselves, and the way he let me learn life lessons by making my own mistakes. He would always be there to pick me up, dust me off, talk things over with me, and make sure I was ready to face the next big lesson in life. He helped me learn good lessons form the missteps I made and the peccadilloes I often found myself it. I always knew my dad was there for me, even though he didn't always agree with things I did or the choices I made in friends and interests.
My dad had a unique way of letting me know where I stood with him without ever making me feel small or inadequate. And even with all of this, the greatest gift my father gave me was the ability I developed to parent my own children and pass these same things down to them.
If my dad were here today, I'd give him a big hug and an "I love you dad" for Fathers Day and then hand him pictures of my son Adam and my daughter Victoria – his grand children. I'd just say say "Thanks for everything, dad – Good job."
