Losing Special Men

My usual postings frequently deal with museum exhibits, a touching lost and found story about an object, and some piece that to me is interesting and sometimes even humorous.

Today, I switch gears and talk about men and their legacies.

Father’s Day was last Sunday. My father was my north star. A simple man, he needed his cigarettes, the beach and baseball. His ‘dadisms’ are treasured. First, he taught me how to read a map. The first map laid out all the streets and how grid-like the area was. Second, he taught me how to read the stock market pages in the newspaper-opening and closing prices, volume, high/low for the year, trading volume etc. He taught me how to drive. Instructors had to modify some of the behaviors I mimicked, but this is an essential skill, and my parallel parking is noteworthy. He also advised that I should know a back roads way of getting somewhere when your primary route can’t be used. That has really served me well over the decades. As he followed baseball, he taught me the rules and we went to some games together. His influence and advice is ever present.

That brings me to Willie Mays. I was brought up to be a Yankee fan, and didn’t really pay attention to other NY teams. I simply didn’t notice when the Giants moved to SF. I might have watched some of the Mets games. But I admire the skill and achievements that he leaves behind. Anyone who plays with the neighborhood kids and being a professional athlete really cares about the game and coaching others. He did that for the Giants team for decades. Give back, share your talents, care about the game.

Both are missed for different reasons. Dad influenced me directly, Mays influenced others. Both are larger than life and special.

#fathers day #williemays #remember