Dads

That's another "D" word... And of course today is Father's Day. I read once a little statement that any man can be a biological father but it takes a special one to be a real dad. That is certainly true. My late husband was a good dad, often too lenient, especially with his only daughter, but remembered by his kids in many special and unique ways. I had two grandfathers who left me a good strong legacy because they were both of sterling character and greatly admired in their industry--railroading--and very admirable men. My father-in-law was another such man.

The picture at the right is my parents when they were dating--Dad was about thirty at the time and a good looking man, dark reddish brown hair, hazel eyes and a typically Irish way with a contagious sly grin, a wicked sense of humor and charm galore. He swept my somewhat shy and naive mom right off her feet! They wed two months after meeting and were together for over forty six years until his death in a traffic accident.

I had a rocky relationship with my dad. I was the first born and the only girl and he had tendencies to be a control freak--that was a bad recipe since we were both hard-headed and very determined Taurus people! Dad had a very hard time letting me go and grow into my own person. From my early teens on, there was constant conflict as he ceased to be my top hero and I turned attention to others, most of whom he found unworthy! He and my husband were like two dogs with a juicy bone--me!--over whom they could never do anything but conflict. That was hard at times but I was grateful Jim, my husband, was a strong man and able to back me in standing up to be my own person. I did not have much confidence or self-esteem and he helped me build them. Was he a father figure to me? Yes, in some ways. Until after his death, I had never seriously dated or had a relationship with anyone younger than me and most were considerably older. The 'shrinks' would have a field day with that I am sure!

But today, from the perspective of over twenty years since dad's death, I can look back and forgive the hurts he dealt me and recognize that a great deal of who and what I am today is totally his doing. He was my first hero, my teacher for five years of grade school, and a towering example, both good and bad. I was his top hand and partner for several  years and shared a lot of adventures since my brothers arrived eight and sixteen years after me! Those experiences were rare treasures that few have enjoyed. The photo at left is one of Dad's,  taken on such a trek, probably deer hunting. I was about fifteen and the little mule was named  ":Beano" since he was speckled like a pinto bean.

Dad, too, was a writer and also a photographer. Although he tried his hand at fiction, that did not go well so he turned when I was small to writing for the men's outdoor sports magazines such as Field and Stream, Sports Afield etc. and photo-illustrating most of his work. He even had a piece or two and a few photos in Arizona Highways magazine which set a standard for excellence in scenic photography in its day.  He was a very charismatic and outgoing person and drew "characters" into his life, and of course the family's, like a magnet. I got to sit and listen to many visitors who were tag ends of the old wild west, some amazing and incredible people! Many of them left a lasting mark on me and certainly color my fiction. I formed from these early images an ideal of what a "real man" should be that I hold to this day. From that start, he went on to write some diatribes about conservation and might be called an environmentalist before that became a common word. He probably influenced some like Edward Abbey who came along later.

So today I can say thanks, Dad, and really mean it. He never got a book published and I have had several, so I am slowly compiling into an anthology and lightly editing a bunch of stories and articles that either were not published or came out so long ago they are back in the public domain with rights reverted. I will probably self-publish it and it will not likely make a fortune but there will be a book out there with Charles M. "Chuck" Morgan on the cover and his sassy. humorous and sometimes wild tales will be available to readers. That will be my tribute and gift to him.

Besides the literary legacy, he left three kids, one now gone, who have each accomplished some significant things and used his legacy in individual ways. One brother worked for the railroad in maintenance and then became a union official, fighting for the rights and interests of the workers he represented. One became an attorney and used his flair for writing in legal work, only to die from an aneurysm at far too young an age (forty-six). I helped raise three step kids and became a multi-published  fiction and poetry writer. Although I am not an extreme environmentalist, I do espouse conservation and stewardship of the earth and its resources and appreciate that part of his legacy as well.

Thank you, Dad. May you enjoy the well earned rest until we meet again as friends in some future time and place. Go in peace and harmony, of which you found little in your most recent life, whether by choice or chance I cannot presently say..