My father taught himself how to play the saxophone by listening to David "Fathead" Newman records when he was ten-years-old.
A few years later, he left school to play professionally and help support his family. At 15 he moved to New York City, lived in the attic at a friend’s house and played in clubs around the city. Eventually he would tour around the world with rock bands, play to sold out arenas and bring us home small trinkets from the road – a tiny porcelain tea set from Germany, a little silk kimono from Japan. Now in his 60’s, he still works as a musician full-time. It’s all he’s ever done.
my friend Amy snapped this pic of my dad last night at Jazz by The Bay in Sausalito...And by the way, he’s a fantastic father.
So much of what I've learned about creativity, work-ethic, integrity, perseverance and commitment came from watching him. He’s a consummate family man, endlessly supportive and, well... a feminist – he was certain my two sisters and I could accomplish anything we wanted in life, his ultimate dream being that one of us would become president (clearly not in the cards, but you can’t blame him for dreaming big.
My husband Bryan is also a fantastic father.
The girlies adore him with every fiber of their beings and for good reason. He’s loving and patient and funny and doting and present. He takes them on adventures, teaches them about science and history and art and how to play the guitar (yes I married a man who also plays music, hmm…)
But most important (and not unlike what my own father taught me) he sets the ultimate example for the type of men I hope they one day choose to marry.
So happy Father’s Day guys. You are loved beyond words.
Have a splendid weekend friends!
