One of the reasons I enjoy finding blogs written by school teachers has to be because my father-in-law taught school for thirty two years. One of his other titles was coach. He coached in the school system as well as little league teams during the years his sons played ball. The older son played football, the sport in which he excelled. That son is my husband. Being a good teacher and coach and husband and father seemed to come naturally to my father-in-law. He had strength and was a strong disciplinarian tempered with wisdom to show a kind and gentle spirit to his family.
My father-in-law and I never met. He passed away many years before I met his son. But I like hearing stories from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law about their dad and I have adopted him as my dad. My husband has told me that I have things in common with "our" dad, whose name was Jim. We both were fans of John Wayne movies. We spent lots of time playing ball and also watching ball games. We shared a passion for reading. We placed a high priority on the importance of family.
In our living room there is a plaque on the wall in a place of honor at the front door. Next to the insignia of the high school there are the words "With deep appreciation for 32 years of service and dedication to high school students" and the name of the high school with the dates 1959-1981. My father-in-law's name is in big letters on the top of the plaque.
The most important interest we share is the love for my husband. It would have been great to have met and spent time with Jim, but I am blessed to be married to his son, who is the most interesting person I have ever known, and I believe some of his charisma and intelligence came from my father-in-law.
20 comments:
This is a great tribute, My father in law stood up as best man for my husband. They have lots of similarities. One of the reasons I married my husband was because of how he treated his parents. I knew Harry for approximately 3 years and was very blessed to have known him. Your post was beautiful today!Take care.
What a lovely tribute. I'm sure your husband would be proud in reading this. The fact that you feel this way about someone you never actually met, I think, is wonderful.
i sometimes get real sad that my bean coundn't meet any of this grandparents... but the stories, now that's a different story. them we can share with him...
What a lovely tribute to a man you never met and also, to your husband who apparently inherited many of his father's attributes.
Hi TechoBabe
It's indeed a lovely tribute!
It's wonderful that your father-in-law's great qualities live on in your husband!
Margie:)
I have a feeling that this lovely man is still in your lives.
that's a very nice tribute....
I loved reading about how much you admire this man you've never met!
You are a very caring woman!
It's great that you have such fondness for a man you never met. But as you say, he's alive in his kids.
He seems like a straight-up kind of guy. Right out of one of those TV shows, like Mr. Novak. I have the greatest admiration for those who can handle a classroom full of rambunctious kids. I had a little go at that myself and realized it took a lot more patience than I had.
.... I am a school teacher, yet I envy the elder generations teachers. They have dedication and REAL love for the profession.
Teaching also moves with the times. Students nowadays are not the same as ages past. Long ago, youngster were interested to attend school because it was a novelty. Now, when everybody has reached a comfort zone, school is another chore, even torture. We know that knowledge is compulsory, but do we REALLY have to force people to learn?
Anyway, it's a nice tribute. My late father was also a great teacher, loved by many whose lives he touched.
Unlike him, I am not. *sniff*
I don't think I've ever cried at a blog post before. This is such a warm and touching tribute to a good and giving man. Thank you for allowing me to read it.
what a beautiful tribute. my mom retired from the school system two years ago...so i have a little teacher in my blood as well. your last paragraph was touching. i am sure with such a great dad, your man carries a lot of him in himself.
What a great tribute to your father in law. Isn't it wonderful that your husband has inherited the good gualities of his father. Made me think of my husband, who has the wonderful qualities of my father. Thank you for this post.
Take care.
What a fantastic tribute. Teachers have the ability to impact so many lives and some of the best leaders I have ever met were teachers in my life.
Sounds like your father-in-law was a wonderful man who produced a wonderful son!
(Is there a post that will help me understand why you're adopting your father-in-law as a dad? If so, send me the link. (Sorry, curiosity is my besetting sin.))
Thanks for coming by to visit the Raisin Chronicles!
He looks a lot like MY father-in-law, also a wonderful man (doctor), a southerner and a gentleman. Thanks for your comments on my blog, Techno.
Well written! What a wonderful tribute to one so loved. Thank you, Technobabe!!
Nice post sister. How funny that the picture was taken in front of the onion field instead of the house! He was a good guy and I miss him every day.
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